During the Edo period, Nabeshima ware was produced by the Saga clan (commonly known as the Nabeshima clan), mainly in the Okawachiyama area. First, in the 1650s, products made at Iwatanigawachi in Arita Town were presented to the Tokugawa Shoguns, and later, around the 1660s, products made at the "Nippo-sha-shita" kiln in Okawachiyama were presented. Around the Enpo period (1673-1680), the organization and system of the Nabeshima domain kilns were established at Okawachiyama, and it is thought that the production of offerings began in earnest.

The products were produced until 1870, when the Nabeshima domain kilns were abolished. The products were produced only for the Imperial Court, the Shogun's family, gifts to feudal lords, and for the clan's official use. 　

Okawachiyama was chosen because of its location in a steep mountainous area completely isolated from the outside world. The isolated environment served to protect the secrecy of the domain's kiln technology, as there was a fear of technological leakage. It was also quiet, allowing them to concentrate on porcelain production and the availability of superior raw materials for celadon glaze.

The actual production staff consisted of 11 craftsmen, 9 painters, and 4 "Hineri-zaiku (Small decorations made by hand)" craftsmen, plus 7 laborers, for a total of 31 workers, and production was conducted in an environment isolated from the outside world. Production was supervised by potters dispatched by the clan.

The reason that Nabeshima ware became first-rate, elegant, and graceful was not only due to the skills of these potters, but also to the great power and extraordinary enthusiasm of the successive lords of the Nabeshima domain. Furthermore, the clan carefully selected the materials necessary for their products, such as white porcelain stone, glaze materials, kiln tools, and firewood. This system of clan kilns was unique during the Edo period. The potters were considered to be samurai, and were allowed to wear the family name and sword, and were given generous protection and treatment, being exempted from all official duties and hard labor. On the other hand, they were obliged to produce and deliver a fixed quantity of products to the clan each year. Since a master craftsman could be dismissed if his skills declined, it goes without saying that he was constantly striving to improve and refine his skills.

There was also a system in place to select and promote the best potters from the private kilns in the Arita area, so it was a great dream for the potters of the private kilns to become a master craftsman of the Nabeshima domain kiln.