Blue Bud Vase

• Made of 'Minoyaki' porcelain
• Fired and hand-finished in Gifu prefecture, Japan
• Slight irregularities in size, glaze and texture reflect the artisan nature of the product and are embraced

• Dishwasher safe

MIJ products are expertly crafted by artisans in Japan. Japanese pottery is strongly linked to the area of its native resources, this not only includes the clay, but also the form of the product and colours of the glaze.

A brief introduction to the manufacturing process of Japanese tableware:

Clay.

The base ingredient for Japanese ceramic tableware, Gifu is home to a huge clay basin. Since the 7th century, the craftspeople of Gifu have been able to access this and forge an industry that still thrives to this day. To make the clay workable, industrial custom-made machines are used to knead the clay. From there, the clay is used either on the potter’s wheel to form the base shape, or injected into plaster moulds.

Sculpted by hand.

For detailed pieces, such as teapots, separate parts are sculpted by hand. Once dry, an experienced craftsperson inspects the pieces and removes any unwanted imperfections.

Hand-painted and glazed.

If the clay body requires a motif or pattern, a skilled hand will either paint or carefully apply a transfer-sheet (a thin piece of damp paper with a pattern). After the clay has been properly prepared, it is ready for the glazing process. Using tongs, the clay is lowered into the designated glaze, ensuring even coverage. Colour tones are created with various powder dyes, which have been developed and refined over the years.

Into the kiln.

Specific kilns are often renowned for their skill in producing unique or signature glazes. The glazed products are then shelved and loaded onto a cart to be wheeled into a kiln where the final ‘firing’ process occurs. During firing, the kiln is heated slowly to the appropriate temperature and then cooled just as slowly again.

The final finish.

This process aims to heat the objects to the point where the clay and glazes properly marry and ‘mature’ i.e. reach their optimal level of melting in order to set. Only after the kiln has been properly cooled can it be opened to reveal the finished pieces.

Based in - Yorkshire, United Kingdom

Rosie and Philip founded Made In Japan Tableware (MIJ) because they were fed up with low-quality, boring tableware. Their products make their way from Japan to their warehouse in Yorkshire. The majority of their products are sourced from small, family-run kilns in Gifu on the central island of Honshu, with the rest of their collections being sourced from the length and breadth of Japan.