the potter’s hands are controlled by nature
beyond his intention.
by soetsu yanagi
陶工の手も既に彼の手ではなく
自然の手だと云ひ得るであらう
柳宗悦
onta ware
Onta ware (小鹿田焼, Onta-yaki) is a form of pottery production which originated in Japan. It dates back to the early 18th century and is one of the best examples of genuine Japanese folk art which is highly appreciated for its aesthetic quality and durability. The simple and unpretentious design truly reflects the beauty of nature. All the raw materials of Onta ware potteries, from clay soil to glaze, are sourced locally from within Japan. Nowadays, these materials are becoming rare, particularly, due to the great difficulty in acquiring clay soil. All Onta ware potteries are exquisitely handmade and fired in a unique wood-fed kiln called Noborigama. Since the potteries are handmade, each one is unique in itself. This means that even if you order a few of the same products, they might come in slightly different colour and size. As much as possible, though we provide very detailed description of each item, due to each piece of pottery being uniquely handmade, please be aware that there will be slight variation in the appearance of the product.
We hope you will be able to find the one-of-a-kind piece of Onta ware which suits your taste and liking!
bamboo cutlery
TAKEFUJI bamboo cutlery is produced at the Kai Nobuo Kobo workshop located at the foot of Mt. Yufu, which is close to the popular hot spring region of Yufuin in the prefecture of Oita. The owner of the workshop, Kai, is a fine craftsman who has been making cutlery for 25 years from native Japanese bamboo. For instance, the iconic Sakana (meaning ‘fish’ in English) Fork was designed by his father in the 1960s, Kai inherited the family business and raised the skills of cutlery making to a whole new level. Each piece of bamboo cutlery handmade by Kai is a piece of superb craftsmanship which not only has artistic appeal but is also functional for daily use.
