Shigaraki ware is made in Shigaraki, Japan, on the main island of Honshu. It is an unglazed, high-fired stoneware that ranges in color from brown to light buff. Pieces often have areas covered in a natural, fly-ash glaze. Production sites of Shigaraki ware are a part of Japan’s six ancient kiln sites, the others being Seto, Echizen, Tokoname, Tanba, and Bizen wares.

Kilns are concentrated throughout the Shigaraki basin. The oldest and most distinct wares date from the late 14th century to the early 15th century. Production of Shigaraki ware in the surrounding vicinity began far earlier, and some sources include these earlier pieces in the timeline of Shigaraki ware. However, older work outside of the Shigaraki basin lacks the characteristics of today’s ware. It is believed that the development of Shigaraki ware was influenced by the neighboring Tokoname kilns. The Shigaraki region possesses abundant clay supplies and other raw materials, which significantly aided in establishing the region’s kilns.

Shigaraki and its neighboring areas have produced pottery since at least the 10th century. However, ware that is appropriately categorized as “Shigaraki” is broadly divided into five phases: Phase One describes pottery from the early 15th century. Phase Two describes pieces from around the mid-15th century to the early 16th century, and Phase Three spans production from the early 16th century to the late 16th century. Phase Four encompasses ware from the early 17th century to the early 18th century, and Phase Five includes pieces from the late 18th century to the present day. A vital characteristic for dating antique Shigaraki ware is the piece’s shape. In pieces from Phase One, the ware’s shoulders were very angular and presented a strong silhouette. Towards Phase Two, the shoulders weakened and created a sloping profile, with the shoulders disappearing entirely by Phase Three.

Production included large vessels for storage. As trade and economic activity rose during Japan’s Middle Ages, the demand for ware also increased. Around the mid-15th century, ware was unglazed and decorated with simple designs made from incisions in the clay. Unlike Tokoname and Bizen ware, Shigaraki ware wasn’t traded throughout Japan in the early and middle periods, with the exception of tea ware. Trade was mainly confined to neighboring areas such as Kyoto, Nara, and Iga. 

In the 16th century, neighboring kilns began producing tea ware. Unlike earlier wares, this ware was traded over a much wider area in Japan. During the Edo period (1603 – 1868), pieces included pots, urns, bowls, kneading bowls, and mortars. Production continually changed to meet the needs of the market, and distribution expanded throughout Japan and abroad. In the early 20th century, production ranged from small items to large-scale garden objects. A stereotypical item is the tanuki raccoon, which is seen all over Japan.

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Since Shigaraki ware was produced by multiple kilns, many different marks may be present. Often, pieces include the kanji for “Shigaraki” 信楽 on the bottom. They may also include kanji that are specific to the maker or kiln. 

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In the WorthPoint Library

Keramic Art of Japan by George A. Audsley.

Books and Periodicals

A Study of Shigaraki Ware by Richard James Mahaffey.

Japanese pottery edited by A.W. Franks.

Shigaraki ware by Masahiko Kawahara. 

Web Resources

About the Six Ancient Kilns en.sixancientkilns.jp.

Clay As Soft Power: Shigaraki Ware in Postwar America and Japan umma.umich.edu.

Medieval Japan www.worldhistory.org.

Shigaraki - The History and the Present www.sccp.jp.