Small Plates / Side Plates 10-14.9cm

The "yakishime" landscape woven by earth and fire. A once-in-a-lifetime small plate, named "Konote," that brings warmth to your dining table.

From Joantei Toubou, a kiln located in Shiraishi Town, Saga Prefecture, comes the "Konote" small plate. This plate combines the power of "yakishime," a firing method that uses high temperatures without glaze, with the gentleness expressed in its name. By blending various clays, primarily from Takeo, and firing them slowly in a wood-fired kiln, falling ash creates a natural glaze, producing complex and rich expressions in yellow, orange, and black. True to its name "Konote" (meaning "child's hand" or "hand of a child"), its warm presence fits gently in the palm of your hand, possessing an aesthetic beauty as an objet d'art and adding a tranquil story to your everyday dining table. It is a piece that evokes the natural breath of the earth, making you want to gently cup it in both hands.

The warmth of the earth and the texture of yakishime conveyed to your fingertips

The slightly rough, earthy texture, unique to unglazed "yakishime," feels pleasant to the fingertips. The comfortable weight when holding the vessel and the rustic feel, as if the earth is breathing, convey a tangible sensation that mass-produced items cannot. Even the subtle, slightly dull "clink" sound when chopsticks or cutlery touch it is pleasant to the ear. As you use it, the moisture and oil from food will gradually soak in, and it will develop a subtle, moist sheen, allowing you to deeply experience the joy of "nurturing your vessel" with all five senses.

A "natural frame" that vibrantly enhances the colors of your ingredients

The complex colors woven by the ash and flames from the wood fire possess a profound depth that gently embraces any dish. For example, if you lightly arrange colorful seasonal sashimi or lightly moistened blanched greens, the deep earthy color of the vessel will further accentuate the freshness of the ingredients. Moreover, if you place not only Japanese sweets but also colorful macarons or baked goods on it, it creates a scene like a sophisticated, modern Japanese cafe. Regardless of whether it's Japanese or Western cuisine, it acts as a reliable frame, elevating everyday dishes into "gourmet" delights.

The coexistence of traditional craftsmanship and everyday practicality

While it is a unique work of art created by the earth and fire of Saga, its size of approximately 4.5 inches is most suitable for "everyday use." It can be used as a serving plate, or as a dish for small side dishes or snacks, making an appearance at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Furthermore, even if you have multiple pieces, they are easy to stack, and they fit neatly into limited cabinet space, which is a practical advantage. Despite being a handcrafted piece, its real convenience lies in its ability to be used daily without fuss, making it a major appeal of this vessel.

The one-of-a-kind scenery created by the whims of fire and its ease of use that blends seamlessly into the everyday dining table. Joantei Toubou's "Konote" is not just a vessel for serving food, but one that is completed by seeing, touching, and using it. Its appearance, gradually changing in your daily life, is sure to become your special, cherished piece that you will want to use for a long time.

Recommended for:

• Those who appreciate yakishime pottery that allows them to directly feel the warmth and texture of the earth.
• Those looking for small plates that are easy for everyday use and can be neatly stacked in a cupboard.
• Those who want to beautifully enhance the colors of ingredients, from Japanese dishes to Western desserts.
• Those who enjoy the process of "nurturing their vessels," as they become more familiar with use and develop a richer character over time.

A versatile small plate, supervised by Shingo Oka, that adds color to your dining table

Excellent versatility and usability

This versatile small plate fits into any daily scene, whether for small side dishes, condiments, or sweets. It proposes a uniquely Japanese way to enjoy tableware, adorning your dining table with small plates.

A miraculous collaboration

The desire of ceramist Shingo Oka to have "more people use his pottery" is combined with the "high skill x stable production capacity" of a kiln with 200 years of traditional techniques. This is a very rare fully supervised product in the industry, where Mr. Oka himself thoroughly supervised everything from design, ceramic clay and glaze blending, to painting and glazing guidance.

Quality born from skilled craftsmanship

Despite being mass-produced, it is made through a painstaking process to maintain the warmth and high quality of artisan pieces.

• Forming (Pressure Casting): This technique involves injecting "slip (liquid clay)" under pressure into a specialized plaster mold with irregularities. It is mainly suitable for forming irregularly shaped vessels.
• Trimming (Shaping): After drying, craftsmen trim the piece to achieve its final shape. This is a crucial step requiring skilled techniques that affect the finish of porcelain.
• Bisque Firing: The pieces are slowly bisque fired in a 920-degree kiln for two days.
• Painting and Glazing: Under Mr. Oka's guidance, craftsmen hand-paint the underglaze. Afterward, Mr. Oka's specially blended glaze is applied using precise techniques as instructed.
• Main Firing: The pieces are slowly "reduction fired" at a high temperature of 1300 degrees for three days to completion.

"Free and dynamic sometsuke" of Early Imari

What is Early Imari?

It refers to Arita ware fired between 1616 and the 1650s, characterized by glazes that imitate the white porcelain of the Joseon Dynasty. Pieces from this era, about half a century before the completion period, often feature free and dynamic forms and painting, possessing warmth and deep flavor.

Reproduction by hand-painting

The beauty of the "free and dynamic sometsuke" characteristic of Early Imari has been beautifully reproduced in modern vessels by the hands of skilled craftsmen.

Ceramist Shingo Oka

A popular artist who creates pottery based on a unique "refined sensibility" that matches the contemporary atmosphere, while being mindful of masterpieces from older eras such as white porcelain (Joseon Dynasty) and sometsuke (Early Imari). He is known for his diverse expressiveness, including white porcelain, Karatsu, Oribe, aka-e, and classical patterns.