About Shigaraki Yaki : The Shigaraki Yaki style of ceramics originated in the 8th century, in the town whose name it bears, now known as Shiga Prefecture. The difficult times that followed the Heian era meant that this region of Japan had to produce ceramics quickly, without having to rely on Chinese imports. Craftsmen therefore turned to a local resource of clay, taken from the bottom of Lake Biwa, just a few kilometres away. Shigaraki ceramics have an original texture, making them a much-loved style in Japan. One of the most famous figures in this style is undoubtedly the tanuki, the Japanese marten dog with giant testicles, who never leaves home without his hat and bottle of sake. But Shigaraki Yaki also includes beautiful tea accessories, crockery and sake-serving utensils.