ceramicsJuly 13, 2026

Shigaraki-yaki

Shigaraki-yaki (信楽焼) is a stoneware ceramic produced centered in Shigaraki, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture. It is counted as one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan (Nihon Rokkoyo) and was designated as a Traditional Craft Product (Dento-teki Kogeihin) by the national government in 1976.

History

Shigaraki ware's production history extends to the late Kamakura period, when techniques from Tokoname ware were transmitted to the region and potters began producing pots, jars, and mortars using anagama kilns. The Koka region, at the southernmost part of Shiga Prefecture adjacent to the Iga region of Mie Prefecture, provided the geographic and material conditions for this early ceramic tradition.

During the Edo period, Shigaraki kilns mass-produced everyday items such as tea jars, earthen pots, sake bottles, and water jars. By the end of the Edo period, Shigaraki had become a major production center for ceramic lamp fixtures. In the Meiji period, production of hibachi (braziers) using a newly developed namako glaze began, and during the later stages of World War II, Shigaraki ware accounted for 80% of the national market share of hibachi. During wartime, the kilns also manufactured ceramic hand grenades and land mines. By 1949, approximately 300 kiln workshops recorded annual production of 200 million yen.

Potter Fujiwara Tetsuzo, originally from Kyoto Kiyomizu — where he had been making tanuki figurines since the Meiji period — moved to Shigaraki around 1935, an event considered the trigger for the flourishing of tanuki figurine production there. In 1951, during Emperor Showa's postwar visit to Shigaraki, tanuki figurines holding small Japanese flags were lined up along the roadside, and Emperor Showa composed an imperial poem upon seeing them. In 1952, tanuki culture researcher Ishida Gocho proposed the Hassho Engi (eight auspicious features) based on oral tradition, and Shigaraki ceramic shops began selling tanuki figurines with pamphlets explaining these features, increasing their popularity as lucky charms. The Shigaraki Tanuki Day was originally established in 2008 as 'Tanuki Yasumude~(DAY)' on August 8th, based on the Hassho Engi, and in 2012 was renamed and moved to November, with the wordplay 'ii tsuki' (good month) as the stated reason.

Production value peaked in the early 1990s and has since declined due to pressure from inexpensive imported ceramics. In 2007, the climbing kilns of Marumatakama and Maruyoshikama were certified as Modern Industrial Heritage Sites by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. In 2011, seven sites related to Shigaraki ware were designated as historical sites by Shiga Prefecture. In 2017, Shigaraki ware was certified as Japan Heritage as part of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan, together with Echizen ware, Seto ware, Tokoname ware, Tamba-Tachikui ware, and Bizen ware. In the 1970s, female ceramic artist Kamiyama Kiyoko successfully restored natural-glaze Shigaraki ware (ko-Shigaraki) without using glaze, reviving an ancient technique.

Techniques & Production Process

Shigaraki ware is produced from clay sourced from the ancient Lake Biwa stratum, which it shares with neighboring Iga ware, giving both traditions a similar atmospheric quality. The clay is rich in fire resistance and plasticity, possesses a strong body suitable for large-scale work, and contains fine stone particles including quartz grains, feldspar grains, and silica sand. Notably, the clay is used without being levigated (suihi), meaning the natural inclusions are retained.

Forming methods include wheel throwing, press molding, and hand building. Surface decoration employs a range of techniques: matsukawa, mushikuiite, nunome, inka, sen-bori, kushigaki, tochiri, kakiotoshi, and keshoukake. Under-glaze painting is executed by hand using oni-ita or gosu as pigments. Glaze application methods include kasane-kake, nagashi-kake, ro-nuki, itchin, katamigake, fuki-kake, hake-kake, and hakeme. When no surface decoration or glaze is applied, natural glaze or fire color is produced through firing in noborigama (climbing kilns) or anagama (tunnel kilns).

How to Identify Shigaraki-yaki

Shigaraki ware is characterized by a warm hi-iro (scarlet fire color) produced through noborigama and anagama firing, natural bidoro glaze, and scorch marks resulting from the firing process. Ancient Shigaraki ware frequently displays characteristic kiln transformation (yohen) phenomena — unpredictable surface changes caused by the interaction of ash, flame, and clay during firing. The presence of visible quartz grains, feldspar grains, and silica sand particles within the clay body is a further distinguishing feature of the ware.

The Craft Today

As of 2024, approximately 85 kilns remain active in Shigaraki. The tradition encompasses both utilitarian and artistic output, ranging from large-scale sculptural works made possible by the clay's strong body to domestic wares. Among the most widely recognized Shigaraki products is the tanuki figurine; however, as of 2019, tanuki figurines account for only approximately 3% of the production value of the Shigaraki ceramics cooperative. The standard form of the Shigaraki tanuki figurine is the sake-buying boy type, holding a tokkuri (sake bottle) in the right hand and a passbook in the left hand, wearing a woven hat. A tanuki statue standing 5.3 meters tall is located in front of Shigaraki Station. Production value has declined since peaking in the early 1990s, owing in part to competition from inexpensive imported ceramics. Shigaraki ware is part of a broader Japanese ceramics tradition that includes numerous regional stoneware and porcelain styles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan, and why is Shigaraki included?

The Six Ancient Kilns of Japan (Nihon Rokkoyo) is a grouping of historically significant Japanese ceramic production sites. Shigaraki is counted among them alongside Echizen, Seto, Tokoname, Tamba-Tachikui, and Bizen wares. In 2017, all six were collectively certified as Japan Heritage by the national government.

When was Shigaraki ware designated a Traditional Craft?

Shigaraki ware was designated as a Traditional Craft Product (Dento-teki Kogeihin) by the national government in 1976.

What makes Shigaraki clay distinctive?

Shigaraki clay is sourced from the ancient Lake Biwa stratum and contains fine stone particles including quartz grains, feldspar grains, and silica sand. It is rich in fire resistance and plasticity, has a strong body suitable for large-scale work, and is used without being levigated, preserving these natural inclusions in the finished ware.

How are Shigaraki tanuki figurines connected to the craft's history?

Potter Fujiwara Tetsuzo moved to Shigaraki from Kyoto around 1935, bringing tanuki figurine production with him. Their prominence grew after Emperor Showa's 1951 visit to Shigaraki, during which he saw tanuki figurines lining the roadside and composed an imperial poem. In 1952, researcher Ishida Gocho proposed the Hassho Engi (eight auspicious features), which ceramic shops used in pamphlets to promote tanuki figurines as lucky charms. As of 2019, tanuki figurines represent approximately 3% of the production value of the Shigaraki ceramics cooperative.

How many kilns are currently active in Shigaraki?

As of 2024, there are approximately 85 kilns operating in Shigaraki. This represents a contraction from the approximately 300 kiln workshops recorded in 1949, a decline attributed in part to competition from inexpensive imported ceramics following a production peak in the early 1990s.