About

Located in the western part of Shiga Prefecture near the Kyoto border, the town of Shigaraki thrived as an important hub and even briefly served as a capital about 1300 years ago. The pottery made here, called Shigaraki ware, is included among Japan’s “Six Ancient Kilns.” The region offered an ideal soil layer derived from the 400 million-year-old ancient Biwa Lake, abundant firewood from the surrounding mountains, and great proximity to the imperial capital of Kyoto. Shigaraki ware emerged as a major industry of this area from the late 13^th century, and is now one of the nation’s primary pottery towns. 

Traditional Shigaraki ware features textures and tones that are earthy and natural. This comes from the so-called high fired unglazed technique, in which works are fired without glazing in a high-temperature kiln. Shigaraki ware is also defined by its keshiki (lit. scenery or landscapes), the surface and color variations introduced through reactions between the clay and fire. Keshiki includes such styles as ash-glazed hai-kamuri and black burnt koge. Along with cracks and imperfections, these forms of keshiki have attracted praise and admiration from renowned tea masters and art scholars.

Shigaraki ware is also known for being flexible and versatile thanks to the natural properties of the local clay, such as elasticity and fire resistance. The skilled techniques of Shigaraki craftsmen allow the production of works in various styles, shapes, and sizes, adapting to the ever-changing needs of consumers, from small delicate pieces such as tea utensils and plateware, to larger pieces such as pots, bathtubs, and even construction material for building exteriors. This flexible spirit has deep roots with the artisans of Shigaraki, who are still innovating with the form even today.