We are
starting to feel the end of bitter, cold winter and the beginning of warm spring
as we smell the faint scent of plum blossoms and daphne. The spring
season that the iconic cherry blossoms bloom beautifully and fall is usually
the season for the end and the beginning in Japan: the school year ends
in March and begins in April, and generally the newly graduates start their
work in Spring. So spring makes us want to start something new, explore
new places, and find new items. Today, we wanted to share a selection of
new items in stock at our store that will freshen up the table for the new
season.
Charming single bud vases each with unique form and
finish. We adore the deep, yet subtle color palette that kind of remind
us of cloudy, heavy sky of Hokuriku (North Western) region of Japan where
Tanaka-san is from. Having a single flower from the garden in a bud vase
will surely dress up the table and remind you the coming of spring.
[Manabu
Tanaka Small Pot 4860 yen]
This small pot is a new addition to our store. It is a
lovely piece that can be used as a sugar pot or a container to store some
condiments like miso.
[Manabu
Tanaka Soy Sauce Pourer 4104 yen]
Our patron customers from restaurants love these soy sauce
pourers, because not only are they nice aesthetic pieces to have on the table,
they are functional and do not drip on the side.
[Manabu
Tanaka Small Plate 1296 yen]
We also received from Tanaka-san a variety of plates that you
can use with soy sauce pourer.
In addition, we also received new items from other fellow
artists from Fukui Prefecture, Michihiro Domoto and Kumiko Domoto.
[Kumiko
Domoto Chopstick Rest 864 yen]
We were waiting so eagerly for the day to introduce this piece!
This charming chopstick rest is made by creative craftsman Kumiko Domoto. The
first time we received a couple dozen of these lovely items and we quickly sold
out in a day. This time, we received fifty items and were astonished by how
each piece was original in its carved painting and shape. Quite a remarkable
hand craftsmanship and ingenuity!! The longer ones can be used as a
cutlery rest as seen in the photo.
We also have
one off items from the Mishimade series. Each piece comes with different
carved pattern, so it’s very difficult to choose just one.
Small Lidded
Container 5400 yen Sake
Pourer 4500 yen]
We were also
able to restock Shiho Takada’s works from the crackle series and titanium glaze
series.
[Shiho Takada Oval Bowl 4320 yen]
This oval shaped piece by Kyoto artist Shiho Takada goes
beautifully with colorful vegetables because the muted gray cracklings
accentuate the colors. We are delighted to be able to offer again this
highly sought after item at our store.
Shiho Takada’s
rice bowls from the titanium glaze series. The small one on the left is
for children.
Some people say that they are afraid to have children use
expensive, delicate tableware because they fear them breaking them. We
partially agree to this, but at the same time, we believe there is some merit
in having children exposed to nice tableware from early age. By having
children handle these breakable items, they can have a learning experience in
which they are taught to cherish and take good care of the items. How
about giving your beloved child a special piece that an artist has taken great
care in making them?
Last but not least, we wanted to take time to introduce some
blue and white porcelain pieces by a young Ishikawa Prefecture artist Mayumi
Hiyama.
[Mayumi Hiyama Mini Plate 2300 yen]
Butterfly has been historically a popular pattern in Japan. In
the age of warring states, butterfly pattern was highly favored among the
samurai warriors and was carved on armor and used in family crests, because
they considered butterflies as a symbol for rebirth. The samurais were
mesmerized by the way a butterfly transforms from a larva, to pupa, and
eventually into a beautiful butterfly with wings.
These butterfly shaped mini plates will certainly be perfect for
spring time table!
Please come to the store to find items for the early spring table
if you are in Tokyo.
