Shigaraki-yaki (信楽焼)

One of Japan's oldest and most beloved pottery traditions, Shigaraki-yaki originates from the mountainous region around the town of Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. Potters here have been creating earthenware since the 13th century, capturing the essence of simplicity and natural beauty.

Shigaraki clay is distinct for its coarse, mineral-rich texture filled with quartz particles that sparkle slightly after firing. Most pieces are left unglazed and wood-fired in anagama or noborigama kilns, where flames and ash naturally create unique patterns. These organic traces — hi-iro (fire hues) and biidoro (glass-like drips) — give every work its own unpredictable personality.

Shigaraki pottery is admired for its rustic surface and warm, earthy tones ranging from soft orange to deep ash grey. Each piece embodies wabi-sabi: the quiet beauty of imperfection, transience, and human touch.

Today, Shigaraki remains a vibrant centre of Japanese pottery. Traditional wood kilns coexist with modern studios, and the blend of ancient technique and contemporary design turns every piece into more than a vessel — it becomes an expression of stillness and nature.

Discover our collection here.