Tableware to adorn the New Year

The splendor of "Kinrande" painted with overwhelming craftsmanship

The star of this vessel is the "Karakusa (arabesque) pattern" gracefully depicted across its entire surface. As vines extending in all directions, it's a very auspicious pattern symbolizing "prosperity and continuity." This piece, however, takes it to the next level with a luxurious "Kinrande" finish, woven from a yellow ground, red, and lavish gold embellishments.

Furthermore, inside the rim, a beautiful indigo geometric pattern called Yomodasuki (four-sided stripe) is applied, elegantly tightening the exterior's flamboyance. This is an artistic piece imbued with the spirit and warmth of each brushstroke by a craftsman, something mass-produced tableware can never replicate.

A versatile supporting actor that shines in modern dining

The interesting thing about this vessel is how it pleasantly overturns the stereotype of "soba choko = soba noodle dipping cup." Its exquisite capacity of 220ml surprisingly fits a wide range of modern lifestyles.

• As a cup: For morning coffee or green tea/hojicha during snack time. When dark liquids like black or brown are poured, the indigo pattern inside becomes beautifully prominent.
• As a small bowl: It looks artistic when serving dressed dishes, dipping sauces, pickles, or desserts like ice cream.
• As a sake cup: For enjoying chilled sake or shochu on the rocks during adult time.

Moreover, the bottom features the "Janome Kodai (snake-eye foot)" which is a prestigious design from Ko-Imari ware, allowing you to enjoy its antique beauty even at the moment you flip it over in a dish drying rack.

You'll know it the moment you hold it in both hands. A masterpiece of Hasami ware that transforms your everyday noodle dishes into a feast.

Carrying steaming hot ramen or udon to the table, accompanied by rising steam. This seemingly ordinary daily scene is elevated to an exceptional experience by the Ireko bowl (large) from "IREKO," an original brand by Hamatoh, a long-established Hasami ware wholesaler. Its exquisite 16cm diameter and generous 800ml capacity leave a beautiful margin even when filled to the brim with soup, lending dignity to the dish. Available in two patterns—the captivating white of Hakuji (white porcelain) and the warm, hand-drawn-like Aigoma (indigo horse)—both are versatile performers that shine with Japanese, Western, or Chinese cuisine. More than just making food taste good, this reliable companion brings the joy of admiring tableware to your dining table.

A comfortable weight and smooth texture that fits perfectly in your hands

When you lift the bowl with both hands, your fingertips feel the smooth, alluring texture unique to Hasami porcelain. Despite its large 800ml capacity, when you lift it during a meal, it never feels clunky or burdensome on your wrist. This is thanks to the meticulously calculated balance of thickness and center of gravity. Even with hot soup, a gently comforting warmth transmits through the bowl to both hands, and the smooth rim against your lips is so pleasant that you'll want to savor every last drop of soup.

As a frame for your dishes, vividly repainting your usual scenery

True to its philosophy of "tableware that makes the food the star," this bowl reliably enhances any dish placed in it. The pure white canvas of "Hakuji" (white porcelain) distinctly highlights the clear amber of soy sauce ramen and the green of the scallion topping. On the other hand, the warm, hand-drawn-like striped pattern of "Aigoma" (indigo horse) adds a rhythmic, blossoming splash of color to often brown rice bowls like oyakodon or katsudon. Your everyday home cooking will look as appealing as a dish from a renowned restaurant, dramatically transforming the dining table scenery.

The aesthetics of "nesting" and tough practicality for everyday life

While steeped in the history of Hasami ware and the craftsmanship of artisans, IREKO's greatest charm lies in its ability to blend seamlessly into the real-life routines of its users. Thanks to its "nesting" design, from which it gets its name, the beauty of stacking multiple bowls is impressive. Though ramen bowls can be bulky, they astonishingly save space in your cupboard. Furthermore, to suit modern busy lifestyles, they are fully compatible with microwave reheating and dishwasher cleaning. Their tough practicality, highly praised even in restaurants, means you can use them vigorously every day without worrying about chips or breaks.

This bowl is a magnificent fusion of the dependable quality of traditional Hasami ware and the practicality thoroughly researched for modern dining. It acts as a beautiful "frame" while causing no stress in cleanup. The more you use this Ireko bowl, the more it will evoke an unconscious affection, making you think, "I just keep reaching for this one every day." It's a lifelong companion that transforms not only special occasion feasts but also simple udon on a tiring day into a deeply satisfying and blissful meal.

Recommended for:

• Those who want to enjoy everyday noodle dishes like ramen and udon with a more elevated appearance.
• Those who want to buy bowls for the whole family but are concerned about storage space in the cupboard.
• Those looking for high-quality, durable tableware that can be used freely in the dishwasher and microwave.
• Those who want versatile tableware that complements any cuisine, from Japanese, Western, and Chinese to ethnic dishes.