 Although figures representing the tanuki are a popular product included as Shigaraki ware, the kiln and local pottery tradition has a long history.The development of kilns during the medieval period are thought to have taken place through the transformation of Sue ware technology.In the later half of the Heian period, Sue ware production came to an abrupt decline, with production now centralizing in the Owari, Mino, Bizen, and Omi provinces.