【Shigaraki Pottery Village Tanuki Mura】 Dive into a Day Full of Excitement in the Traditional World of Shigaraki Ware

Discover the wonders of Shigaraki ware!

“Shigaraki ware” refers to the ceramics produced in and around Shigaraki, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, since the Kamakura period, and it is one of Japan’s six ancient kilns. In 1976, it was designated a traditional craft, and its charm was widely popularized through the NHK serial drama “Scarlet,” increasing its nationwide fame. Today, Shigaraki ware includes not only the famous tanuki statues but also a variety of products such as dinnerware and garden accessories. The unique warmth and richly textured scorched coloring that occur naturally during kiln firing create the distinct “wabi-sabi” aesthetic of Shigaraki ware.

While the most famous creature made from Shigaraki ware is undoubtedly the tanuki, did you know there are other animal figures as well? There are three types: “Fortune-Bringing Shigaraki Tanuki,” “Fortune-Returning Shigaraki Frog,” and “Fortune-Carrying Shigaraki Owl,” each traditionally believed to bring good luck. Having Shigaraki ware might just bring some fortune into your life!

First, the “Fortune-Bringing Shigaraki Tanuki” has various meaningful features:

• Face: Always smiling to bring prosperity in business
• Hat: Protects from unexpected calamities
• Eyes: Observant, making wise decisions
• Belly: Represents calmness and decisive power when needed
• Money bag: Symbolizes financial luck
• Tail: Indicates a strong and stable end
• Sake bottle: Ensures virtue and no shortage of food and drink

These elements together are known as “Hasso Engi,” which symbolizes good fortune.

Next, the “Fortune-Returning Shigaraki Frog” is called “Fuku Kaeru,” meaning that it brings safety, money, or youth back to you. Frogs have long been cherished as creatures of good luck because of their various traits:

• Mouth: Swallows calamities
• Offspring: Represents obedient children who follow their parents
• Hibernation: Uses cold periods to gain knowledge for future success
• Skin: Protects from predators and avoids disasters
• Hind legs: Poised for significant leaps forward when necessary
• Diet: Consumes poisonous insects, preventing illness and promoting health
• Forelegs: Maintains a proper posture reflecting respectful behavior
• Belly: Lacks a navel, symbolizing protection from lightning

Lastly, the “Fortune-Carrying Shigaraki Owl,” known as “Fukuro,” which sounds like “no hardship” in Japanese, is believed to bring happiness. Shigaraki ware’s Fukuro is popularly seen as a harbinger of great fortune.

Try your hand at making Shigaraki ware!

At Shigaraki Ceramics Village, there are four different workshop courses available, ranging from simple fun for young children to more sophisticated options for serious crafters.

The “Electric Wheel Course” is a bit challenging but incredibly addictive. It involves using a large, automatically spinning potter’s wheel to create professional-grade pottery. You can use the electric wheel for about 50 minutes and freely design your piece! After shaping your creation, you can choose from three available colors for the final glaze. Your unique pottery will be ready in about two or three months. Instructors at Tanuki Village are friendly and helpful, making it a great experience even for beginners. Why not create a one-of-a-kind ceramic piece?

The “Hand-building Course” is perfect for beginners and is the most popular course at Tanuki Village. Using a manual wheel, participants can try their hand at making various types of pottery. There are no time or age restrictions, so even young children can enjoy this activity to the fullest!

For those who want a quick and personalized Shigaraki ware experience, the “Painting Course” is ideal. You can paint pre-fired pottery items such as teacups, bowls, matcha bowls, tanuki, piggy banks (tanuki, cat, owl), plates, and mugs. Choose from a rich palette of colors including blue, yellow, red, brown, green, and black to make your piece truly your own. There’s also a “glaze painting course” available where you can take your finished piece home the same day. Drop by and discover the charm of Shigaraki ware at your leisure.

In the “Tanuki Making Course,” you can experience the essence of Shigaraki ware by crafting your very own tanuki. Using traditional molds, you’ll fill them with clay and personalize your tanuki by adding original features or decorations to create a unique, handmade piece.

Additionally, there are luxurious meal packages available that combine pottery making with gourmet meals prepared using local ingredients. All courses are by reservation only, so please check the official website for more details.

Savor the Exquisite Gourmet Delights of Tanuki Village

The ingredients served at Tanuki Village are meticulously selected, with a special emphasis on green tea, rice, and spices.

We use one of Japan’s top five famous teas, “Asamiya Tea,” produced in Shigaraki-cho Asamiya, Japan’s oldest tea-producing region. This supreme green tea has been offered to successive Emperors. Additionally, our rice dishes feature Koshihikari rice cooked in a special Shigaraki ware “Donabe” pot, which enhances the flavor by cooking it slowly and thoroughly, maximizing the delicious taste of Omikoshihikari rice. Other specialties include savory tea salt made with green tea and our unique “Yachimi Togarashi,” a blend of eight spices that includes various local teas creating a sophisticated flavor unique to Omi.

At our dining facility “Chazumitei,” indulge in kaiseki meals featuring Omi beef sukiyaki or ceramic plate grilling, or enjoy seasonal set meals using diverse ingredients. There are also kid-friendly meals available, allowing families to relax and enjoy Omi’s local specialties together.

Additionally, our “BBQ & Food Space PonPoco Factory” offers a variety of meals using fresh Omi ingredients. Here, you can enjoy Omi beef BBQ while participating in a pottery experience, a luxurious combination of crafts and cuisine. We also offer a lunch plate with Omi beef ceramic plate grilling, and fast food options available without reservation. Surrounded by a serene, forest-inspired ambiance, immerse yourself in the old-world charm of pottery while enjoying the fresh flavors of Omi.

Buy Shigaraki Pottery Online Too!

At “Shigaraki Toen Tanuki Village,” we have an official online shop offering a vivid array of products from Shiga Prefecture, including brightly colored “Aji-Tsuke Red Konnyaku” and items made with Asamiya Tea such as warabi mochi and cookies. You can also find a wide range of Shigaraki ware products, including unique pottery items featuring the distinctive “namako” (sea cucumber) glaze, available only here. We offer personalized pottery perfect for special gifts. Of course, our famous Shigaraki Tanuki statues are also for sale, including golden tanuki, male and female pairs, and uniquely shaped ones such as Amabie tanuki and kunoichi (female ninja) tanuki!

Additionally, we sell “Home Pottery Shigaraki-Yaki Hand-Building Kits” for those who want to enjoy pottery-making at home. Each kit includes instructions, a hand-building set, and all necessary materials for sending your piece back for firing. There are also easy-to-follow tutorial videos to help beginners create their own pieces. Why not enhance your home with Shigaraki ware and explore our online selection for items that add a touch of artistic flair to your living space?