Friday, June 21st is the summer solstice, when the sun is highest in the sky and the hours of daylight are the longest of the year. As the phrase "reaching summer" suggests, it marks the start of full-scale summer, with temperatures rising steadily. The start of the rainy season (nyubai) on the calendar is around June 11th, and the muggy, humid season will continue for over a month. In this article, we will introduce some cool tableware to help you comfortably spend the rainy season and the upcoming hot summer.
Introducing SOHYOH, an Arita ware studio that produces beautiful, cool white porcelain dishes
Arita, located in western Saga Prefecture, is the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. It is said that in the early 17th century (1616), potters from the Korean Peninsula discovered the porcelain stone that is the raw material for porcelain in Izumiyama, and fired the first porcelain in Japan. After that, various styles were born, such as the "Kakiemon style," which features a beautiful harmony of red and white porcelain, and the "Nabeshima style," which was made as gifts to the shogun family and various feudal domains, and have changed over the years.
Sogama is an Arita ware studio based in Arita-cho, Saga Prefecture. The Tsuji family has been active as pottery artists for generations. The previous head of the Tsuji family, Ichido Tsuji, who was active in the design department of Koransha, founded the Shinko Ko-Imari Research Institute, the predecessor of SOHYOH, in 1954, and renamed it SOHYOH 12 years later, and continues to do so to this day. In addition to tableware and objects, the Tsuji family has been working on ceramic tile works depicting scenes from Japan and the world. Ceramic tile often breaks during production, but once fired, it becomes a porcelain painting that will never fade. "I want to leave the scenes that moved me forever." The head of the family, the third generation SOHYOH owner, Toshihiko Tsuji, and the fourth generation successor, Takuma Tsuji, work hard every day on their ceramic works, putting the emotions they felt when they visited places all over Japan and the world, as well as their own inexpressible feelings, into their works.
The unique technique of SOHYOH: the "line engraving technique"
A technique in which lines are carved into porcelain clay using a divider (a tool similar to a compass) and a carving knife. Carving creates a sense of three-dimensionality and depth in the picture. Amakusa pottery stone is used for the porcelain clay that serves as the canvas, which is characterized by its high strength and hardness, as well as the clear, beautiful color of the finished product.
In addition, each piece is carefully crafted on a potter's wheel using highly skilled techniques.
*Photos and text taken from the SOHYOH website (2024/06/07): https://sohyohart.official.ec/
The "Hydrangea" series has a beautiful, fresh, light purple color that will add a refreshing touch to your dining table.
・"Hydrangea" series | Engraved small bowl
This small bowl is from the "Hydrangea" series, a popular long-selling product of SOHYOH. It is deep, so it is recommended for side dishes with a lot of juice as well as sweets. The outline of the hydrangea petals is drawn using the line engraving technique (a unique SOHYOH technique of drawing lines on porcelain clay with a needle or carving knife), and then carefully painted with a thick brush, one stroke at a time. *This product is the work of the current head of the family, Tsuji Toshihiko.
・"Hydrangea" series | Engraved medium plate
This is a medium-sized plate from the "Hydrangea" series. Arita ware is generally dyed with a deep, astringent blue color called gosu, but this plate is dyed with a light purple color not seen in other kilns. Each piece is shaped on a potter's wheel, and is light and has an easy-to-use shape that fits comfortably in the hand. Unlike pottery, porcelain fired at high temperatures is very durable and resistant to stains and odors, making it perfect for everyday use (it can be used in the microwave and dishwasher). *This product is a work by the current head of the family, Tsuji Toshihiko.
The lovely and cool "Morning Glory" series is based on the motif of the refreshingly blooming morning glory flower.
・"Morning Glory" series | Deep bowl (small)
This is a deep bowl from the "Morning Glory" series. It can be used not only to serve side dishes, but also to separate food. The inside of the bowl is painted with a pale purple "morning glory" using the traditional technique of "fukisumi," which makes the color of the food stand out beautifully when served on it. Each bowl is individually shaped on a potter's wheel, and is light and has an easy-to-use shape that fits comfortably in the hand. Unlike pottery, porcelain is fired at high temperatures, making it extremely durable and resistant to stains and odors, making it perfect for everyday use (it can be used in the microwave and dishwasher). This product is a work by the current head of the family, Tsuji Toshihiko. *Awarded the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition in 1995.
・"Morning Glory" series | Small bowl
This is a small bowl from the "Morning Glory" series. Like the deep bowl (small), it can be used not only to serve side dishes, but also to separate dishes. *Made by Tsuji Toshihiko, winner of the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition in 1995 (Microwave safe, dishwasher safe)
・"Morning Glory" series | Medium bowl
This is a medium-sized bowl from the "Morning Glory" series. It can be used as a bowl for seafood bowls, etc., or as a noodle bowl for nyumen. *Made by Tsuji Toshihiko, winner of the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition in 1995 (Microwave safe, dishwasher safe)
・"Morning Glory" series | Dessert bowl
This is a "dessert bowl" from the "Morning Glory" series. It is a high-footed dish that has been attracting attention in recent years. *Made by Tsuji Toshihiko, winner of the Asahi Shimbun Prize at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition in 1995 (Microwave safe, dishwasher safe)
The "Stardust" series depicts countless tiny stars spreading across the night sky
・"Stardust" series | Rimmed plate (small, purple)
This is a "Small Rimmed Plate (Purple)" from the "Stardust" series, which depicts countless tiny stardusts spreading across the night sky. The expanse of the night sky is expressed through soft gradations created by layering multiple layers of gosu of different densities. The countless stardusts are all hand-carved. Its appeal lies in its simple, easy-to-use shape and pale colors that complement any dish. It is also recommended as a dessert plate for cakes and other desserts. Each piece is shaped on a potter's wheel, and unlike ceramics, the porcelain plates are extremely durable and resistant to stains and odors due to being fired at high temperatures, making them perfect for everyday use (they are microwave and dishwasher safe).
・"Stardust" series | Rimmed plate (large, purple)
This is the "Rim Plate (Large, Purple)" from the "Stardust" series. It's the perfect size for serving one main dish, such as pasta or dry curry. If you put pancakes on it, you can enjoy the cafe atmosphere at home. (Microwave safe, dishwasher safe)
Since ancient times, the Japanese have devised ways to feel "cool" through the five senses so that they can live cool summers. For example, the soothing sound of wind chimes, the refreshing scent of citrus fruits, shaved ice that is still popular today, and linen shirts that are highly absorbent and quick-drying. Why not spend the coming hot summer with some cool tableware?
*You can see Tsuji Takuma's works and SOHYOH's works, including the works introduced this time, here .
*If you are interested in the interview with Takuma Tsuji or the history of Arita ware, please check out this article .