When firewood burns out in climbing kilns or anagama kilns, it turns to ash and accumulates inside the kiln. If a piece of pottery is placed in an area where the ash has accumulated, the bottom of the piece will be buried in the ash and a dark brown color will appear in that area, which is called "scorched (ash-covered)". This rusty color of scorched is highly valued in tea pottery and other items.

Shigaraki clay is of high quality and contains a lot of feldspar, so the coarse feldspar grains in the clay body, which is not elutriated, melt and create a unique milky white granular appearance. This clay surface is also one of the characteristics of Shigaraki ware.

Shigaraki's characteristics include its fire resistance and coarse soil quality. Combining the clay with wood-bush clay gives it plasticity and firmness, making it ideal for making large or thick objects. When fired, it produces beautiful skin, pink and reddish brown fire colors, and by applying a Vidro glaze or charring to the surface, it creates pottery with a soft, warm, human look that is not found in other production areas.