Shimoda ware is semi-porcelain made in Shimoda (currently Konan City), Kosei Town, Shiga Prefecture. It is said that Shimoda ware originated around 1751–1764 in the mid-Edo period, when Kita Yasubei, a villager from Shimoda Village discovered high-quality white clay in Kagamiyama (currently Ryuo Town). He used this clay to produce everyday items, such as ceramic lamps and oilcans.
It is said that in their heyday, from the end of the Edo period until the Early Meiji era, they had 3 shared climbing kilns and 10 potteries. After a while, they were overwhelmed by the cheap products manufactured nearby in Shigaraki, causing their business to decline. Eventually, they were left with only one kiln.
In 1989, they shut down due to the death of Yamanaka Yasuzo, who was the last one left. However, in 1994, Yamanaka’s apprentice, Kosako Hajime (born in 1963 in Otsu City) received requests from Kosei Town (at that time) to restore the porcelain. He restored the porcelain as requested. With the restoration of Shimoda ware, the town established a traditional crafts hall to preserve and develop the traditional crafts of the town.
