Kagoike old kiln site (Registered Historical Site of Aichi Prefecture), Tokoname Ware

The earliest Tokoname ware dates to the late Heian period, approximately 900 years ago. Black smoke rising up from the estimated 2000-3000 anagama (tunnel kilns) across the hillocks of the Chita peninsula would have been a common site during the medieval period. The products of these kilns comprised large fired storage jars and other vessels that were transported across the country by ship. From the medieval period to today, Tokoname’s ceramics industry area has boasted a scale of production unparalleled in most parts of the world.