Shodai Ware is the traditional handicraft handed down for a long time in Kumamoto Pref. Local clay fired at high temperature, the feature of this ware is simple but dynamic character. This craft is dated back to the early Edo period, when tea ceremony was popular among the warriors of the warring states period and the world of wabicha (tea ceremony in a rustic and simple style) was highly valued. In 1632, when Tadatoshi Hosokawa moved from the fief of Buzen to that of Higo, he appointed two master potters, Genshichi and Hachizaemon as the potters exclusive to his clan and they started making Shodai Ware. They mainly made tea utensils at that time. Since then the handicraft has been handed down to the present time for 400 years. In 2003, the craft was nationally designated as a Traditional Craft Product. The deep color of the glazes in harmony with the randomly dribbled patterns creates the sense of simplicity. Shodai Ware is favored as tea utensils, table ware, and decorative ornaments.