Anisotropically shaped ceramic particles are represented by the general formula {(K.sub.1-x-yNa.sub.xLi.sub.y).sub.4(Nb.sub.1-zTa.sub.z).sub.6O.s- ub.17+aMeO.sub.b} (where Me is at least one element selected from the group consisting of antimony, copper, manganese, vanadium, silicon, titanium, and tungsten; and b is a positive number determined by the valence of Me), where x, y, z, and a satisfy 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, 0.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.3, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.3, and 0.001.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.0.1, respectively. The anisotropically shaped ceramic particles have a plate-like shape. The average particle size is 1 to 100 .mu.m, and the ratio D/t of the maximum diameter D of a main surface to the thickness t in a direction perpendicular to the main surface is 2 or more, preferably 5 or more. Thus, anisotropically shaped ceramic particles suitable as a reactive template for preparing a crystal-oriented alkali metal niobate-based ceramic can be produced at relatively low production costs without the need for a complicated production process.