It is said that the start of Bizen ware can be traced back to the production of bowls, dishes, and roof tiles with a kiln(a total length of around 10m) in the mountain plains of Inbe during the Heian period. When the kilns were first established, influences of sue ware were still prominent and much of the pottery was white and charcoal-gray in color.

In the mid-Kamakura period, Bizen ware became established and gradually, its reddish brown pottery was produced. It is from around this time that the kilns were adjusted and upsized for mass production. The scale of the kilns expanded from 10 meters to 20-30 meters. There is evidence from the excavation site that the kiln floors were adjusted many times to expand their sizes. Amongst these kilns, some were built in places that were 400 meters above sea level.

The kilns created were concentrated in three locations at the foot of the mountain, and we know that a large number of mortars were produced in this location. We also know from the excavation of the Furosan Higashiguchi, that the amount of pottery fragments found was up to 1700 boxes for one kiln. Amongst these kilns, one kiln was 40 meters in length and 3.2 to 4 meters in width. It has also been confirmed that there were pillars created to support the ceiling, which would have been needed for a kiln of this size.

Bizen ware was used most extensively during the Muromachi period. The kilns that were originally located in the mountains gradually descended into the plains, and a small number of large kilns were gradually shared, eventually leading to the construction of the Three Large Kilns.

From the various ruins found in western Japan, especially in mountain castles, a large amount of Bizen ware have been excavated proving that pottery from these kilns was widely distributed.

Furthermore, Bizen ware was so strong that it was said that it would not break even if dropped. Not only was it popular for daily use due to its sturdiness, but it was also made popular by tea ceremonies. Juko Murata found its simplicity representative of the spirit of the tea ceremony. However, when white porcelain and glazed pottery entered as an option, its popularity gradually declined.

During this period, Bizen ware appeared in many tea ceremonies. In addition to mortars, many kinds of custom-made pottery, such as sake bottles, water jugs, boards, and bowls were created.

In the Edo period, Mitsumasa Ikeda, the feudal lord of Okayama, made intensive efforts on the development of Bizen ware in his feudal domain. He offered fuel and materials to potters and designated outstanding potters as "Master Craftsmen." Under the watch of the shogunate government, small kilns were combined into large community kilns. The community kilns were operated, managed, and named by six families: Kimura, Mori, Tongu, Terami, Oae, and Kaneshige. Due to community kilns being called "Kamamoto Rokusei" the Edo period is sometimes referred as "The Large Kiln Era."

In 1831(Tenpo 2), three multi-chambered ascending kilns were introduced for the first time in Bizen. These "yuzuukama" were known for their efficiency, and one of the three kilns was repeatedly renewed and used until around 1940/1941(Showa 15/16). A sake bottle called "Ningyo Tokkuri", which was produced in this kiln was used as a sake container for "Houmeishu", a type of sake from Tomo in Fukuyama city in Hiroshima. A multi-chambered kiln made in the Edo period called "Tenpo Kiln" still retains parts of its structure from the Edo period and is a Bizen municipal designated building today.