PRODUCT QUALITY
KATAUCHI TECHNIQUE
The refined beauty of Usukiyaki comes to life through its gentle textures, crafted by nature and human touch using the subtle "Katauchi" technique.
Katauchi is a molding technique where a clay sheet, flattened by a roller, is placed over a plaster mold and hand-pressed to replicate the mold's carved pattern.
Unlike cast molding, where liquid clay is poured into a mold, the Katauchi technique preserves the warmth of handmade craftsmanship, resulting in slight variations in shape and distortion for each piece.
handmade by artisans
imperfect charm
Due to the hand-crafted nature of our products, there may be minor flaws and imperfections, which we believe are characteristics of the processes and add to the beauty and individuality of the items.
iron powder
Usukiyaki utilizes refined tile clay from the Suehiro region, home to an Edo-period kiln site. Rich in iron, this clay may develop black spots, known as "Fukimono," caused by impurities in the kiln or glaze.
pinholes
The glaze, specially formulated to create Usukiyaki’s signature texture, has a slight viscosity. During the glazing process, air bubbles may form, resulting in small holes like these. Pinholes that could affect functionality are carefully removed during inspection.
uneven glaze
During glazing, uneven coverage may occur along the edges or where the shape of the ware changes. Any imperfections that noticeably impact the product's appearance are removed during inspection.
"Nunome" (Cloth pattern)
The backs of Usukiyaki pieces, crafted using the "Katauchi" technique, are covered with a cloth called "Sarashi" during the shaping process, where curved forms are created by hand. As a result, traces of the cloth pattern may remain on the surface.
variation in shape
Each Usukiyaki piece is handcrafted, resulting in subtle differences in shape and size across products.
rattling at the bottom
Due to the nature of ceramics, some deformation occurs during firing in a high-temperature kiln. While the bottom is trimmed in the final process to ensure usability, it may not be perfectly flat.