Shigaraki ware, originating from Koga town in Shiga Prefecture, holds a venerable position among the Six Old Kilns of Japan. Its roots can be traced back to Juko Murata (1423-1502), the esteemed founder of the tea ceremony, who valued the understated beauty of unglazed pottery and the simplicity of Wabi Sabi aesthetics.
 
 Shigaraki ware boasts distinctive characteristics, encompassing a range of colour shades and patterns from deep reds and browns to delicate pinks. These captivating hues are achieved through firing with fire-resistant coarse soil, which imparts a unique touch to the pottery. The dark tones that emerge from the natural glaze on the scorched portions of Shigaraki ware, affectionately known as rusty glaze, are highly prized and deeply appreciated for their inherent charm and beauty.

In 1930, fragments of Shino tea bowls from the Momoyama period were discovered in Kani City, Gifu Prefecture. This discovery of unknown ceramic history sparked increased interest in ancient ceramics across Japan. Craftsmen from various regions were captivated by Momoyama ceramics and began efforts towards classical revival. In Shigaraki, two potters devoted themselves to the revival of ancient Shigaraki pottery: Rakusai Takahashi III (1898-1976) and Naokata Ueda IV (1898-1975). Their Momoyama-style stoneware, called "Hechimon," initially received little local attention. They continued to reproduce the techniques, and their distinctive Shigaraki ware was designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset of Shiga Prefecture in 1963. Their achievements influenced future generations, leading to a flourishing of many artists in Shigaraki who inherited the traditional techniques of ancient Shigaraki during the 1970s.