This type of earthenware originated in Kusatsu in Kurita Country in Omi Province (Kusatsu, Shiga) around the Genbun and Horeki eras of the mid-Edo period (1736 – 1764) when the owner of the Ubagamochi tea shop began firing Raku ware style mochi platters. He gained popularity for adding designs of paintings and lyrics to these platters and began to fire teacups, incense containers, and other tea bowls in addition to mochi platters.
For its styles, Raku ware and Cochin ware have been confirmed. There is a theory that the production of the Raku ware pieces was entrusted to Sanyu from the Raku family in Kyoto. Although there are works with the Ubagamochi signature that are similar to works by Sanyu, there is a bit of a discrepancy in the time periods, as Sanyu passed away in 1739, suggesting that the firing periods could have been earlier.
