Shigaraki, Shiga

Location of Shigaraki
Tanuki pottery in Shigaraki

Shigaraki (信楽町, Shigaraki-chō) was a town located in Kōka District, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.

As of 2004, the town had an estimated population of 13,885 and a density of 84.92 persons per km2. The total area is 163.5 km2.

On October 1, 2004, Shigaraki, along with the towns of Kōka, Kōnan, Minakuchi and Tsuchiyama (all from Kōka District), was merged to create the city of Kōka.[1][2]

It also served as the imperial capital for several months in 745, before moving to Heijō-kyō due to a forest fire destroying the palace (Shigaraki Palace).

Shigaraki is famous for its ceramic kilns since ancient times. The area is known for its clay beds, and locally mined clay is often used by local potters. Works produced here are known as Shigaraki-yaki. Many local potters use wood fired anagama kilns. Many tanuki statues are also produced here.

  1. ^ 産業科学硏究所, 名古屋学院大学 (2006). 名古屋学院大学論集 (in Japanese). 名古屋学院大学産業科学硏究所. p. 109. 甲賀市は 2004 年 10 月 1 日に旧甲賀郡の水口町郡の水口町,土山町,甲賀町,甲南町,信楽町の 5 町が合併して生まれた新しい市である。
  2. ^ 昭文社 (2021-08-15). 地名の真実 (in Japanese). 株式会社昭文社. p. 143. ISBN 978-4-398-14314-3. 甲賀市は、2004年（平成16年）に、甲賀郡の水口町、土山町、甲賀町、甲南町、信楽町が合併して誕生した市です。