When Japanese philosopher Soetsu Yanagi went searching for true "Mingei" pottery he discovered the community of Onda Sarayama. This community was founded as a potting community in 1705. As described by Yanagi, "Mengei" pottery should be made by anonymous hands from local materials. In Onda, only the eldest son is allowed to throw the pottery. Soetsu Yanagi, in 1924 would coin the term "Mingei" or "Folk Craft", and would publish "The Unknown Craftsman", later to be translated into english.
In 1965 artist Robert Sperry was given a grant by the Japan Foundation to film the village, and subsequently released a 16mm film "Village Potters of Onda"
Soetsu Yanagi wiki HERERobert Sperry Papers HEREPucker Gallery HERE