Established in 1832 during the late Edo period, Nagatani-en is an Iga-yaki pottery kiln located in Iga City, Mie Prefecture. They have preserved the tradition and techniques of Iga-yaki pottery, creating a wide range of earthen pots and utensils using the unique coarse soil of Iga. Guided by the principle that the creator should also be a true user, Nagatani-en focuses on crafting products that align with the evolving lifestyle trends. Their functional earthen pots stand out for their high heat resistance and heat storage capacity, which are charac­teristics derived from the ancient Biwako layer dating back 4 million years. The clay from this geological layer, abundant with fossils, has been used for making earthen pots, gyohira, and tokkuri in the region. Nagatani-en treasures the local soil as a valuable resource and continually strives to enhance their craftsmanship by harnessing its qualities.