Tradition
Shigaraki
Japan · 13th century – present
Fire and ash. One of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns.
In the hills near Kyoto, potters have been dancing with fire for 800 years.
Shigaraki is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns—production centers with continuous ceramic traditions stretching back to the Kamakura period. The local clay, rich in feldspar, creates a distinctive warm orange body with a rough, sandy texture. But Shigaraki's signature is what the kiln does: natural ash from the wood fire settles on pieces during the long firing, creating drips and patterns that no human hand could plan. Tea masters prized these 'fire marks' and 'kiln effects.' Each piece records its unique journey through the kiln.
What if you let the fire do some of the work?
Techniques
- Wood firing
- Natural ash glaze
- Long firing cycles
- Kiln placement