Episode One: We bring you on a journey to Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture Nestled in a calm and quiet place lies the picturesque town of Shigaraki in Koka City, Shiga Prefecture a pottery center filled with an air of distinguishment. For many years shops and homes have been standing side by side supporting each other’s livelihood. The well-kept appearance exudes a feeling of refinement.

Shigaraki is home to one of six historical pottery centers in Japan. Shigaraki is located in the southernmost part of Shiga Prefecture at the center of the Kinki region where Japanese culture flourished from ancient times. It developed as a pottery center thanks to an abundance of material suitable for pottery and its location as an important hub for transportation.

There are various theories surrounding the origin of Shigaraki, but it dates back to around the thirteenth century, the middle of the Kamakura period. It is said that they began making pottery due to the influence of the Tokoname kiln. During the Kamakura period they made water pots and seed pots but during the Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama periods, tea masters used Shigaraki, and the production of tea ceremony utensils thrived. Then during the Edo period using ascending kilns the mass production of tea ceremony utensils as well as many types of everyday vessels such as plum jars, miso paste jars, sake bottles and earthen pots began.

Most of the vessels were unglazed, but near the end of the feudal period decorating techniques were developed and tableware with designs were made. From the Taisho period until the Second World War hibachis were the main product. These days products are made that fit the modern lifestyle.

Shinya Ishino, who is the 9th CEO of the main Shigaraki kiln, the Meizan kiln, says that “Shigaraki has continually made products to meet people’s needs. In the era that hibachis were a necessity 80~90% of them were Shigaraki. One distinctive of Shigaraki is its flexibility. All manner of things both large and small from tableware to decorative pieces to bathtubs and more have been produced. Historically we have shown the know how to mass produce necessity items for daily use. Thus, you can say that Shigaraki makes things that fit people’s lifestyle.”

The Meizan kiln was founded at Shigaraki in 1622 (the 8th year of Genwa) and has continued for more than 400 years. The history dates back to the time of the second Shogun, Tokugawa Hidetada. Hidetada ordered a tea pot from Nagano Village in Shigaraki (Currently: Nagano, Shigaraki town, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture) and that marked the beginning of Shigaraki tea pots being used by the Shogun clan and Imperial court. The reputation that “When you put tea in a Shigaraki tea pot it doesn’t get damp for a long time and retains its fragrance” is said to be the reason that feudal lords began ordering Shigaraki tea pots.

As an heir of this historical kiln, Shinya Ishino says that the current economic climate is not good and every kiln is struggling with the problem of a shortage of both workers and quality clay. Shigaraki is no exception. There is a shortage of artisans and workers to dig out the clay. Although many kilns are struggling with a shortage of artisans, many young craftsmen visit the Meizan kiln with the desire to become an artisan. Ishino says that the former image of a craftsman is changing.

“Looking back at the past, one of the distinctives surrounding traditional craftmanship was a harsh environment. That was especially true of pottery. The process of firing the pottery and taking it out of the kiln involved extreme heat. It was hard work and entailed the risk of accidents. However, that era is in the past. In my mind, I want to engender an environment where you can be your genuine self. If you can stand tall and be yourself, you can produce something good. Of course, patience is very important, but we have prepared an environment where you can be yourself without trying too hard.”

At the same time as we improved the environment at Meizan kiln, the overall posture of the production area has emerged as one of the reasons young people choose Shigaraki.

“The entire town of Shigaraki as a production area has cooperated to make it into a town of craftsmen. That culture continues today. There is a movement in the entire production area to build up the image of Shigaraki.”

Mr. Ishino continues by talking about the future of Shigaraki

“As the user changes, the craftsmen and place of production must change too. I believe that the ultimate goal is for the user to feel enriched when they hold our product in their hand. My sincere desire is that both the user and the craftsman feel enriched.”

“As for making our products, we will continue to evolve as we listen to the requests of our customers and make those requests into a reality. And the entire town will work together to prepare an environment where craftmanship is possible. We desire to welcome all forms of craftsmanship not just pottery.”

Ishino says, “If we don’t aggressively try new innovations, we won’t be able to make new products”. From now on, one initiative of the entire town is to offer more assistance to craftsmen particularly focusing on preparing a good living environment for them.

In keeping with the legacy of those that went before us, from here on we intend to continue being a broad-minded place of production.

In the next episode we will bring you a journey to the roots of Shigaraki, the clay.