While Japanese food is popular all over the world, only in Japan has tableware been uniquely developed for the food. There are many kinds of tableware for different purposes; for example, chawan is a bowl for rice and soup, and kobachi is a small bowl for simmered dishes. The tableware has evolved according to changes in the food culture. Today, fresh designs and products are breathing new life into the world of tableware, capturing the interest of the younger generation. Let's take a look at the growing popularity of tableware.

Many Small Pieces of Tableware: Development of Japan's Unique Tableware Culture

Do you know the biggest difference between western tableware and Japanese tableware? Western tableware designers assume that plates and bowls remain on the table while people eat. Conversely, the shapes of Japanese tableware presuppose that it is held in the hand. In Japanese culture, people eat from tableware that they hold in their hands, which seems to be an uncommon practice in many other countries. The background to this practice is the custom of putting a person's meal on a small, low tray table called "ozen." Due to the low height of the ozen, people have to pick up their tableware to get food close to their mouths. For this reason, each dish is served on one piece of tableware, which is how different small pieces of tableware for different dishes came about in Japan.

Let's take a quick look at the history of Japanese tableware. Beginning about 12,000 years ago, people made clayware by using a technique called "biscuit firing," which fires a clay material at a low temperature. Around the fourth and fifth centuries, the rokuro (pottery wheel), which is used to shape clay into tableware, and a high-temperature firing technique were introduced from Korea. Tableware makers could then craft strong vessels to hold water without leaking. In the eighth century, the glazes introduced from China served to color tableware. A glaze is glassy powder applied to the surface of biscuit-fired pottery in order to add luster to the surface and waterproof it. In the 16th century, the Japanese tea ceremony was in fashion, and its influence changed how tableware designs came to be valued and prized. Powdered green tea is traditionally prepared and served to guests in this ceremony, which has developed as composite art. The ceremony values not only the enjoyment of tea preparation and drinking but also the attitude to life and the beauty of tea utensils. Later, originating from Korea, the production of porcelain began in Kyushu and other regions in the early 17th century. The primary material in the porcelain then and now is rock powder called "porcelain stone."

Beautiful Modern Designs Blending East and West, Breathing New Life into the Tableware World!

There are many potteries across Japan, and tableware designs are distinct from region to region. Recently, many of the potteries have started taking new approaches with a desire to provide tableware suited to modern life. Let's take a look at their attempts.

The porcelain of Kutani ware from Ishikawa Prefecture is characterized by a smooth texture and the bold use of colors. Flowers, birds and other motifs on the porcelain traditionally have been drawn. While they have a touch of elegance, a product called "Kutani Seal" is now available to make it easy for everyone to put a cute motif on porcelain. Kutani Seal offers Kutani paints in the form of stickers developed based on the transfer technique used for traditional pottery. Affix illustrated stickers on tableware and fire it in a kiln to fuse the illustrations. Popular illustrations include little birds and cats drawn humorously.

Next, let's take a look at Hasami ware from Nagasaki Prefecture, which people find useful as tableware for everyday use. The well-known pieces are transparent white porcelain painted only in indigo blue. Young artists have moved one after another to the places where Hasami ware is produced, going on to create colorful stylish tableware. They have made hip modern gratin dishes, soup bowls painted beautiful indigo blue and more. Their designs even suit western food and are gaining popularity with young women.

Another unique approach can be found in Mino ware from Gifu Prefecture. The porcelain has a gentle texture. The industry in the region wants to share the beauty of Mino ware with people around the world, so it invited an up-and-coming Singaporean designer to create a special espresso cup. Born as a result was beautiful tableware melding Western tableware designs and Japanese traditional techniques in a cup that fits comfortably and perfectly in your hand.

Tableware for International Cuisines: Japanese Tableware Spreading to Other Countries

Finally, let's take a look at Arita ware from Saga Prefecture. Plenty was exported to Europe in the late 17th century, when royalty and titled nobility were said to be competing to buy and collect it. This porcelain is known for its delicate texture, transparency when held against the light and gorgeous painted decorations.

There is a famous pottery that constantly receives orders from three-star restaurants in countries around the world, including France, Italy and the United States. The pottery is said to receive orders directly from famous chefs. For each order, they carefully elicit the cuisine concept from the chef and the impression that the chef wants customers to get, and then start working on creating the tableware. In this way, the restaurant receives tableware with a modern design that adheres to traditional techniques but is not restricted by style. The pottery's ideas are full of interesting points that are not covered by the conventional notion of "partnering a country's cuisine with the country's tableware."

New trends have emerged throughout the long history of Japanese tableware, and stunningly stylish tableware may appear in the future. Keep an eye on the activities of potteries in Japan!