Iwamiyaki is a traditional type of pottery from the town of Goutsu in  Shimane Prefecture. This beautiful pottery has many characteristics including its warm, natural earthy color, and its strong water-resistance. Iwamiyaki is also well built and very durable, proving it to be useful and versatile. It is said that Iwamiyaki was introduced to Goutsu in 1763 in the mid-Edo period and originated from pottery methods used in Suouiwakunihan (today’s Yamaguchi Prefecture). At that time, Iwamiyaki mostly consisted of tokkuri (sake bottles), or katakuchi (sake cups) and other small objects, but later , its main use as water jars, because of its strong water-resistance. By the end of the Edo period, Iwamiyaki was acknowledged and revered across Japan and shipped around the country by kitamaebune (a goods ship used mostly during the Edo and Meiji periods). Today, Iwamiyaki is still cherished and is used for such products as flower vases, dishes, umbrella stands and decorative interiors. Iwamiyaki may be changing to accommodate to new tastes and demands in the world, but its traditional designs and techniques are still used today. In 1994, Iwamiyaki was officially recognized as a “Dentoteki-Kougeihin (Traditional Handicraft)” of Japan.