The Six Ancient Kilns of Japan is a collective name for the six representative kilns (Echizen, Seto, Tokoname, Shigaraki, Tamba, and Bizen) that have been producing ceramics since the Middle Ages to the present day.

The area was named by Fujio Koyama, a researcher of ancient ceramics, around 1948, and was certified as a "Japan Heritage" in 2017. Shigaraki ware is generally known for its wood-fired vases and raccoon dog ornaments.

Geographically, it is located in the southern part of Shiga Prefecture, within 100 km of Osaka and Nagoya, and has been producing ceramics since the mid-15th century.

The town is in a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, but in the 16th century, various ceramics were transported over the mountains due to its proximity to Kyoto, a consumer center.

In modern times, it has produced all kinds of ceramics, including braziers, flower pots, and building materials such as tiles, but the largest products that characterize Shigaraki ware are bathtubs and other large items.