Awaji is one of Japan’s ancient centers of tile-making. Local onishi (master tile artisans), though dwindling in number, still craft onigawara by hand using centuries-old methods. Many kilns on the island have operated since the Edo era and are known for precise detailing and expressive faces that balance fierceness and beauty. Because of its large-scale tile production coupled with high technical precision, Awaji was a major historical supplier to Kansai temples and shrines, which demanded high-quality tiles.