Japanese Pottery Christmas Gifts: One-of-a-Kind Artisan Pieces for Every Day

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More and more people are choosing Japanese pottery as a Christmas gift. Unlike sweets or wine, it does not disappear, and unlike an ornament, it does not end up sleeping on a shelf. As the morning coffee mug or the dinner plate, it keeps being used from the day it is given.

Pieces made by an artisan's hand differ one by one, even in the same shape, in how the glaze flows and how the color comes out. For the person receiving it, it becomes a piece unlike any other in the world, and you can hand over the name of the person who made it and the story of where it comes from along with it.

This guide shows how to choose Japanese pottery as a Christmas gift, by the recipient's tastes, gift boxes, pairs and playful pieces, using pieces by artisans nokaze carries now.

Three Reasons to Give Japanese Pottery for Christmas

• It gets used every day Unlike tree ornaments brought out once a year, a mug or plate is on the table from the day after it is given
• No two are alike Handmade pieces each differ in shading and in how their patterns come out
• It comes with a story Where it was made, by whom, and with what in mind. A single line on the card makes the piece special

Choose by the Recipient's Tastes

If you are unsure, it is easiest to start from what the person drinks and eats every day.

How to choose a mug is covered in Japanese ceramic mugs, yunomi in how to choose a yunomi, and guinomi in the guinomi article.

Opening the Box Is Part of the Gift: Pieces in a Gift Box

With a Christmas gift, the moment of opening it matters too. The Lazuli pieces made by mizuki in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, arrive in a blue gift box. The photo at the top shows the Gengetsu round flat plate, with calm waves rising on soft white, about 21.5cm across. It is an easy size for anything from appetizers, cheese or a cake platter to a light meal for one. The wave pattern of Lazuli carries a wish: "May good waves come your way."

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The photo shows a pair gift set of chopsticks and chopstick rests made by Lazuli and the chopstick company SUNLIFE. Two wave scenes, the deep lapis Yoake and the white Gengetsu, become two pairs of bamboo chopsticks and two ceramic chopstick rests, set in a dedicated gift box. Smaller and lighter than tableware, it also suits a gift sent to family or friends who live far away.

A Gift for Two: A Pair in Different Colors

For a married couple, partners or friends who live together, a pair in the same shape and different colors is always welcome. The ice-crackle pieces by Kawai Taichi of Tobo Usurai in Kameoka, Kyoto, are known for a fine pattern like cracked ice. They come in a deep blue called Bubble Blue and a grayish lilac called Jellyfish Lilac, and there is also a set with a mug and a rice bowl in each of the two colors.

More from Kawai Taichi

Side by side, you can see clearly how the same technique takes on a completely different look in each color. The artisan's story is in Kawai Taichi's collection, and other pairs and sets are in the gift collection.

Give Something Playful: Animal Sake Cups

For someone who enjoys a drink, or if you are looking for a gift that brings a smile, there are pieces with animal motifs too. The guinomi by TADA Seizo of Ceramics Rakudo is designed with a polar bear peeking out from inside the cup.

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The inside is white, so the color of the sake shows well. Every time you look in, you meet the polar bear's eyes: a cup that makes drinking time more fun. More of TADA Seizo's pieces are in the artisan's collection.

How Long Delivery Takes

When shipping abroad, the number of days delivery takes depends on the country or region. International mail and carriers get busy at the end of the year, so if you want it to arrive in time for Christmas, we recommend ordering as early as you can. You can check shipping methods and costs by entering the delivery address at checkout.

What to Add When You Give Pottery

• The artisan's name and the region A single line such as "a piece by Kawai Taichi in Kyoto" changes how the piece is seen
• That no two are the same It is reassuring to explain that uneven color and differences in pattern are the character of a handmade piece
• How to use it Whether a piece can go in the microwave or dishwasher differs from piece to piece, so it is thoughtful to check the product page and add a note

We also have guides to choosing gifts by occasion. For a new home, see Japanese housewarming gifts; for a wedding, Japanese wedding gifts; and for someone who has everything, what to give someone who has everything.

Related Articles and Terms

Choosing a Gift

• Japanese Pottery Gifts: Ceramics That Grow More Beautiful with Every Use
• What to Give Someone Who Has Everything: A Piece That Gets Used
• Japanese Housewarming Gifts: What Lands Well, and What to Avoid
• Japanese Wedding Gift | A Pair, or One Piece They Share

Choosing by Type of Piece

• Japanese Ceramic Mugs: Why Handmade Changes Your Coffee
• Yunomi: How to Choose a Japanese Tea Cup
• Guinomi: The Japanese Sake Cup That Makes a Better Nightcap