Kasongan, hunt Ceramics in Kundi Settlements

In the Dutch colonial period, in an area south of Yogyakarta events that have occurred surprising even intimidating the local people with finding a horse owned by Dutch detective who died on the field of land owned by a citizen. Because of fear of punishment, release of these rights does not recognize the land and the land again. This is followed by other citizens. Land that has been removed very day finally recognized by the other villagers. As a result of the land does not have a rice field, the local people eventually choose to be of ceramics and toys to kitchen utensils until now. This is revealed in the interview Prof. Dkk Gustami with local elders in the 1980s.

Areas that we know the name Kasongan to this day. A village in Padukuhan Kajen located in the lower mountain gamping landed. Distance of 15-20 minutes drive from the city center.

Kasongan village is a residential area of the kundi, which means that the pitcher or gundi (people who make a kind of pitcher, gendi, frying pan and other kitchen items that are also decorative items).

"As the ancestor of the daily mengempal-ngempal land that was not broken when incorporated, and began to form into different shapes, functions tend to be toys or consumer goods kitchen. Finally habits revealed that up to the next generation starts now" said Pak Giman, one of the workers in the studio Blonyo Loro.

Kasongan visit to the village, tourists will be greeted with a warm welcome by local residents. Just to see Pajang space or the exhibition hall filled with a variety of ceramics. And if interested to see the making of ceramics, tourists can visit some of the ceramics gallery directly produce handicrafts typical of the place. Start from the mill, the establishment of the perbot, drying the product usually takes 2-4 days. Products that have been dried and then burned it, before eventually finishing in the paint or paint the wall tile.

Working collectively, the gallery is usually a family business from generation to generation. Although it is the making of ceramics involving residential neighborhood around the gallery owner, but the family still responsible for the selection and supervision of production.
A touch of Modern Design

Initially, this craft did not have color at all. But a legend dead horse of the Conference was to display the horse motif on many products, especially the horse transporter gerabah or eccentric with a basket placed on the horse, other than the motif frog, cock and elephant.

Along with the development, with the inclusion of the influence of modern culture and the outside through various media, after the first time introduced by the Kasongan Sapto Hudoyo around 1971-1972 with a touch of artistic and commercial and large-scale dikomersilkan Sahid Ceramics by around 1980, now tourists can see various patterns on the various ceramics. Even tourists can order the types of motifs such as the desire bird peacock, dragon, rose and many other. Type own production include many species. No longer berkutat on children's toys (musical instrument, frogs, savings) and the kitchen needs only (skillet, pengaron, kendil, cormorant, and other kekep). Entering the gate Kasongan, will be ceramics galleries along the shoulder of the road selling various decorative items. Form and function has been diverse, ranging from small cigarette ashtray or vase that reach shoulder height adults. Decorative items are not only have the function, but also goods that are only just become a display.
Sculptures Ceramics Blonyo Loro

One of the ceramic display is famous enough that a pair of statues that are sitting politely. This pair of statues known as Loro Blonyo the first created by the studio owned by Loro Blonyo Walujo pack. This statue was adopted from a pair of statues belonging to the Sultan's Palace. The implication, and Loro means a pair or two, while Blonyo means dirias procession through bathing and didandani. "However, the actual meaning of Loro Blonyo still a question of the workers in Kasongan" said Pak Giman.

There is a statue of Loro Blonyo trust will bring luck and to make life eternal home when placed in the home, according to the discussion on YogYES Pak Giman, thus bringing a positive influence on the sale of this pair of ceramic sculpture. While some foreign tourists who love the country shapes, special order with various forms such as dancers, guitarist, pragawati and others. Clothes are no longer using the grip, and in addition to adopting specific clothing some countries, most wearing motif Bali and Thailand. Some of the ceramics galleries are now selling this unique pair of statues that are still produced with some form of different.
Tourism Village

Since the end of the 20th century, after the Indonesian crisis, now in Kasongan tourists can see a variety of products than gerabah. Entry of immigrants who opened galleries in Kasongan is one of influence. Products that are sold are also included local handicrafts such as coconut wood crafts, plants, crafts or crafts that dried oysters. "The name itukan the flow of business and development, opportunities to see that there is" said Pak Giman. Akan gerabah craft but still a major milestone livelihoods of local people. "I bakatnya, does not have the ability lagian others. Lha wong our most senior secondary education level, some itupun" he added.

Ceramics with various shapes and patterns of modern and even artistic, and many other crafts as additional attraction is Kasongan at this time. A story full of tourist attractions and beautiful item of expertise of the local beat clay.

Two months after the earthquake, now in Kasongan many galleries that have been active again, although some are still in the stage of development back. So far no visible signs of more concern from the owners and workers. Local residents hope that tourists will return as the Kasongan time before the earthquake. (YogYES.COM: R. Syah)