Japanese Pottery Articles

A black Raku matcha bowl beside a bamboo whisk, amber clay showing through the rough jet-black glaze and the rim keeping the faint distortion of hand-building

Raku Ware: The Hand-Formed Tea Bowl, 15 Generat...

Raku ware is an iconic style of Japanese tea ceramics created in the late 16th century by master Chojiro under the vision of tea master Sen no Rikyu. Renowned for...

Raku Ware: The Hand-Formed Tea Bowl, 15 Generat...

Raku ware is an iconic style of Japanese tea ceramics created in the late 16th century by master Chojiro under the vision of tea master Sen no Rikyu. Renowned for...

A group photograph of Shiro-Satsuma and Kuro-Satsuma together: ivory jars, teapots and bowls in gold and fine enamel painting alongside glossy black shochu ware and tea ware, against a blue-grey ground

Satsuma Ware: The Gold-Painted Porcelain That W...

Satsuma ware refers to ceramics from present-day Kagoshima, dating back 400 years. "Shiro-Satsuma" (White Satsuma) features an ivory body, fine surface crazing, and gold-accented enamels crafted for high-ranking samurai. It...

Satsuma Ware: The Gold-Painted Porcelain That W...

Satsuma ware refers to ceramics from present-day Kagoshima, dating back 400 years. "Shiro-Satsuma" (White Satsuma) features an ivory body, fine surface crazing, and gold-accented enamels crafted for high-ranking samurai. It...

Close view of a Soma ware jar, galloping horses drawn in iron with gold outlines across the pale body and a crackled celadon glaze over the shoulder, with a maker's seal at the top

Shigaraki Tanuki: Why Every Japanese Shop Has One

Soma Ware (Ohori Soma Ware) is a traditional Japanese ceramic craft from Fukushima Prefecture with over 300 years of history. It is defined by three distinct features: "blue crackle" glazes...

Shigaraki Tanuki: Why Every Japanese Shop Has One

Soma Ware (Ohori Soma Ware) is a traditional Japanese ceramic craft from Fukushima Prefecture with over 300 years of history. It is defined by three distinct features: "blue crackle" glazes...

In a workshop, a freshly glazed plate is tipped so the glaze pooled inside runs back into a bucket, a thin film left over the throwing rings

Buying Pottery That Lasts a Lifetime, Not a Season

Japanese pottery exemplifies sustainability through multigenerational durability, Kintsugi repair, and aging grace. Choosing timeless handcrafted tableware supports traditional artisans while embracing a mindful "buy less, buy better" lifestyle.

Buying Pottery That Lasts a Lifetime, Not a Season

Japanese pottery exemplifies sustainability through multigenerational durability, Kintsugi repair, and aging grace. Choosing timeless handcrafted tableware supports traditional artisans while embracing a mindful "buy less, buy better" lifestyle.

Three Shigaraki tanuki figures standing among clipped shrubs on a green hillside, each in a woven straw hat with a white belly, holding a sake flask and a ledger

Shigaraki Tanuki: The Lucky Raccoon-Dog of Japa...

Shigaraki Tanuki represents Shigaraki ware, symbolizing business success ("outsmarting rivals"). Featuring "Hassou Engi" (eight lucky traits) like wide hats and big bellies, these charming pottery statues bring warmth to everyday...

Shigaraki Tanuki: The Lucky Raccoon-Dog of Japa...

Shigaraki Tanuki represents Shigaraki ware, symbolizing business success ("outsmarting rivals"). Featuring "Hassou Engi" (eight lucky traits) like wide hats and big bellies, these charming pottery statues bring warmth to everyday...

Yachimun plates and bowls laid out on concrete, indigo, amber and green dots placed generously across a milky ground, the rims tightened with amber glaze

Yachimun: The Okinawan Pottery Shaped by the Is...

Yachimun is Okinawa’s iconic pottery, rooted in the Ryukyu Kingdom's trade history. Known for bold designs, rich glazes, and sturdy forms, it infuses daily dining with rustic, vibrant island beauty.

Yachimun: The Okinawan Pottery Shaped by the Is...

Yachimun is Okinawa’s iconic pottery, rooted in the Ryukyu Kingdom's trade history. Known for bold designs, rich glazes, and sturdy forms, it infuses daily dining with rustic, vibrant island beauty.