It All Began with the 'Lake's Memory' Sleeping in the Earth

To truly understand the unique character of Shigaraki ware, you have to start with its essential ingredient: high-quality clay. This special clay is sourced from strata that formed at the bottom of a massive ancient lake that existed here roughly four million years ago. Known as the "Paleo-Biwa Lake," it was the predecessor to today's Lake Biwa. These layers, called the "Kobiwako Group" (Kobiwako-sōgun), were formed over eons as sediment and the remains of flora and fauna accumulated, creating the perfect clay for pottery.

The clay from Shigaraki masterfully balances two contradictory qualities: it is both easy to shape and highly resistant to fire. This is possible because several types of clay with different properties are found in the same geological layer. These include the extremely fine and sticky "Kibushi clay" (kibushi nendo) and the "Gairome clay" (gairome nendo), which contains coarse particles of quartz and feldspar, making it resilient at high temperatures. By masterfully blending these clays based on the size and desired texture of the final piece, artisans have been able to craft a diverse range of items, from massive jars (tsubo) to delicate vessels.

What’s fascinating is that the beauty of Shigaraki ware is essentially the earth’s memory—the Paleo-Biwa lakebed—revealing itself on the surface when fired. For instance, the warm "hiiro" (scarlet color), a signature of Shigaraki ware, emerges when iron in the clay combusts inside the kiln. Other features, like the whitish specks of "ishihaze" (popped stones) and the "biidoro" glaze—a natural green glass formed from melted wood ash—are part of the "scenery" created by feldspar particles in the Gairome clay. The "wabi-sabi" aesthetic found in Shigaraki ware is a beauty that emerges naturally when the inherent potential of the clay meets the flames. In essence, it is this geological gift of the land that forges Shigaraki ware’s unique identity, setting it apart from all other pottery centers.