Matsushiro ware is pottery and porcelain made in Matsushiro District, Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. However, Matsushiro got famous in the castle town of the Sanada Clan, and flourished as the clan’s official kiln. In the beginning of the Kansei era, Kaheiji, a potter who trained in Karatsu, established a kiln, and made indigo earthenware pots. After that, in 1816, the kiln was promoted as Matsushiro ware by the Matsushiro Domain’s kiln. At that time, Kaheiji’s kiln was acquired, and many potteries were established. Potters invited from Kyoto made Terao ware, potters invited from Shigaraki made Tennozan ware, and potters invited from Tokoname made Kojincho ware and Daikancho ware. They mainly made everyday pottery, but they were overwhelmed by Arita ware and Seto ware, who were mass-producing low-price products, causing all those kilns to close between the end of the Taisho era and the beginning of the Showa era.
The current Matsushiro ware was restored in 1972 by Karakida Matazo from Shinonoi, and the Isao family. The pottery that they established became Matsui pottery (Matsushiro Toen).
