The process is believed to have originated in the Kingdom of Kibi around the middle of the sixth century, spread to various places in Japan.

A low box-shaped furnace containing a clay tub is constructed and heated with charcoal until the correct temperature is reached.

In the Edo Period, foot-operated blowers blow a large amount of air into the furnace to increase the temperature were introduced.

However, following the introduction of Western technologies after the Meiji restoration, the traditional furnaces were no longer economically viable, and soon disappeared.

It was in operation for three periods: Iron from this location was used in the Heishin Maru, the first Western-style warship of the Chōshū navy, which was built at the nearby Ebisugahana Shipyard.