Shido ware

Produced in the port town of Shidō on the island of Shikoku, Shidō ware reflects the blending of regional traditions with stylistic influences from larger kiln centers such as Seto and Arita. This tea bowl, with its earthy glaze and hand-molded form, illustrates the rustic refinement valued in everyday and ceremonial settings during the Edo period.

Shidō ware (Japanese: 志度焼, Shidō-yaki) is a type of Japanese pottery produced in Shidō, in Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku. The kiln was active mainly during the Edo period and is known for creating tableware, tea utensils, and everyday vessels with influences from both local traditions and imported ceramic styles.

History

Shidō ware developed in the coastal town of Shidō, an important port in Kagawa Prefecture. Ceramic production flourished particularly during the Edo period, when demand for domestic pottery expanded alongside the popularity of the tea ceremony and increased trade.

Local potters combined regional techniques with stylistic influences from other ceramic centers, such as Seto and Arita. As a result, Shidō ware encompasses a wide variety of forms and glaze styles, ranging from utilitarian wares to decorative pieces.

Characteristics

The distinguishing features of Shidō ware include:

• Everyday vessels such as bowls, plates, jars, and tea utensils
• Use of natural ash glazes, sometimes with iron-rich decoration
• A combination of rustic simplicity and refined craftsmanship
• Adaptability in style, showing influence from both stoneware and porcelain traditions

Shidō ware was often made for regional use, serving both common households and samurai patrons.

Decline and Legacy

By the late Edo period, competition from mass-produced porcelain (such as Arita ware and Imari ware) led to the decline of Shidō kilns. Nevertheless, surviving examples of Shidō ware are preserved in Japanese collections and museums, offering insight into the diversity of regional ceramics in Shikoku.

Today, the name Shidō-yaki is recognized as part of Japan’s local ceramic heritage.

See also

• Japanese ceramics and pottery
• Seto ware
• Arita ware

References

• Koyama Fujio. Two Thousand Years of Japanese Ceramics. Heibonsha, 1972.
• Kyoto National Museum: Exhibition catalogues on regional pottery.
• Kyushu Ceramic Museum archives.