If you are having trouble choosing a gift for Mother's Day, how about tableware by Momota, an Arita-yaki artist of high quality and design? It can be used not only for daily use but also for entertaining, and it will complement your food. It would make a wonderful gift for Mother's Day.
Arita ware maker "Akio Momota"
We are pleased to introduce Mr. Momota's latest work with a beautiful pale blue glaze. Mr. Momota is based in Arita, Saga Prefecture, and is a popular artist both in Japan and abroad. The charm of his work lies in his elegant forms, the softly applied pale celadon glaze, and the abstract designs he draws on the pure white base. Each piece is elegant and dignified, yet strangely soft and warm. The blue-and-white porcelain produced by beautiful modeling using reliable wheel-thrown techniques and unique glazes has a presence as a work of art, but it also has functional beauty that matches modern lifestyles.
What is white porcelain?
Both white porcelain and celadon are made from the same clay, which is crushed white stone. White porcelain is produced when a transparent glaze is applied to an unglazed vessel and fired. When the transparent glaze contains a small amount of iron and is fired in a low oxygen state (reduction firing), the transparent glaze turns blue and becomes “blue-white porcelain” or “celadon”. The “blueness” varies depending on the amount of iron, the degree of reduction, and the thickness of the glaze, so it takes a skilled artisan to produce the desired white or blue color. Mr. Momota's works are made from the world's highest grade of pottery stone, Amakusa pottery stone, which is found in the western part of Amakusa Shimo-jima Island in Kumamoto Prefecture.
Arita ware, the first porcelain fired in Japan
Arita ware refers to porcelain made in Arita town and the surrounding areas in Saga prefecture. It has a history of about 400 years and was the first porcelain fired in Japan. Around 1600, many pieces were exported, mainly to Europe, and at the time, they were also called Imari ware because they were shipped from Imari. Arita ware was originally a simple product colored only with blue pigment, known as sometsuke, but the first Sakaida Kakiemon created a technique of painting on top, which became mainstream. As time went on, colorful paintings began to be used, and the ware changed into colorful and visually beautiful porcelain.
Introducing Momota's works
Arita ware Akio Momota mug
This long-awaited mug is an unprecedented new work by Hyakuta. There are many thick mugs available, but Hyakuta has focused on making this mug thin. If the batter is made thin, the weight of the handle will distort the shape during baking, but high skill has resulted in a beautiful shape. Each piece is carefully turned on a potter's wheel, and the thin rim of the cup makes it comfortable to the mouth, making it light and easy to hold.
◆Mug #1
It features the representative design "Iro", an abstract design of lapis lazuli glaze on a matte white porcelain base.
◆Mug #2
It features the representative design "Jet Black," an abstract black glaze painted on a matte white porcelain base.
◆Mug #3
It is finished in the classic "black glaze" design, which also appears to be a deep navy blue, giving it a stylish finish.
◆Mug #4
This piece, which is made of matte white porcelain with black and gray glazes, is Momota's latest design. The chic monotone color scheme of matte white and glossy black is attractive.
This is Hyakuta's latest design. He opened a bakery cafe called "bakery and art cafe lier" in July last year, and designed this mug with the idea of "wanting people to enjoy delicious coffee."
Arita ware, Akio Momota, Rectangular plate
This long plate will look stylish just by serving food on it. The beautiful pale blue porcelain with a slight blue tinge is accented with Momota's unique design and the lapis lazuli glaze "Iro". It's an exciting plate that will make you wonder what to serve on it, and is perfect for everyday cooking and entertaining guests.
Arita ware by Akio Momota, blue and white porcelain 7-inch plate (square plate) / 5-inch plate (square plate)
This beautiful square plate is clean, elegant, and luxurious. The four corners of the plate are exquisitely curved inward, so you can serve a small amount of sauce without any problems. It can be used not only for Japanese and Western food, but also as a dessert or cake plate.
Arita ware by Akio Momota, blue and white porcelain, 5-inch plate (round plate)
It is a simple, yet elegant and classy blue-and-white porcelain round plate. Each one is carefully turned on a potter's wheel and handcrafted. There is a shallow depression in the center of the plate that is not visible to the naked eye, so you can serve dishes with a lot of moisture without any problems.
Arita ware, Akio Momota, jet black, 5-inch plate (round plate)
This stylish round plate features an abstract jet black glaze on a beautiful white porcelain base. Its unique design is the result of outstanding wheel-throwing techniques and chance. The plate has a shallow depression in the center that is not visible to the naked eye, so it can be used to serve dishes with a lot of moisture. It can also be used as a fruit or cake plate, making it a perfect gift for someone special.
Arita ware, Akio Momota, color, 5-inch individual plate (round plate)
Its modern design and soft, flowing glaze are its charms. The unique design, created by chance on the pure white porcelain base, is what makes this plate so appealing. The lapis lazuli and other glazes also add an accent. After shaping on a potter's wheel, the plate is fired without glaze, resulting in a matte texture with a modern finish. The matte part is not glazed, but because it is made of porcelain, liquids will not seep in and cause stains, so you can use it with confidence.
Arita ware, Akio Momota, white porcelain, 4-inch rim plate
This rimmed plate has a lovely shape. It is a very versatile dish that can be used as a small bowl or a soup plate. This piece is Hyakuta's latest design, and is also used as a pudding dish at the bakery cafe "bakery and art cafe lier" that Hyakuta opened last July. Each piece is carefully turned on a potter's wheel and made by hand.
Arita ware tends to evoke a classical image, but Hyakuta's works are all very creative. The simple design with minimal decoration and the celadon glaze reminiscent of a calm water surface are beautiful pieces. Hyakuta says that because he focuses on the beauty of the form, he does not paint the pieces, but instead applies designs with his own original glaze. He also places importance not only on the beauty of the appearance, but also on ease of use, and he pays particular attention to the thinness of the cups that touch the mouth so that they are gentle on the mouth. It is because of his outstanding skills that he is able to create beautiful and easy-to-use tableware. Why not give Hyakuta's sophisticated tableware as a gift for Mother's Day? I'm sure it will make a wonderful dining table.
*You can see more of Momota's works, including the ones introduced this time, here.
*If you are interested in the interview with Mr. Momota or the history of Arita ware, please check out this article .