Product Quality

Many of the gentle textures found in the refined beauty of Usukiyaki are expressed through the subtle nuances created by nature and the human hand, using the "Katauchi" technique.

What is the Katauchi technique?

Katauchi is a molding technique in which a sheet of clay by a roller is placed on a plaster mold and pressed by hand to copy the pattern carved on the mold.

Compared to cast molding, in which liquid clay is poured into a mold, pieces formed by Katauchi technique retain the warmth of handmade molding.

Therefore, each piece is slightly different in shape and distortion.

We hope that you will enjoy the imperfect charm of our handmade products as their individuality, which you cannot feel from mass-produced industrial products where everything is finished uniformly.

Iron Powder

Usukiyaki uses refined tile clay supplied from the Suehiro region, where the site of a kiln from the Edo period still remains. This clay contains an extremely high amount of iron.

The iron contained in the clay or glaze may float or appear as black spots due to the presence of impurities from the kiln, called "Fukimono".

Pinholes

The glaze, which is mixed to produce the characteristic texture of Usukiyaki, has a little viscosity, and air bubbles got during the glazing process may appear as small holes like this.

Pinholes that pose a problem in use are removed during inspection.

Uneven glaze

Usukiyaki is characterized by designs based on natural flowers.

When it is glazed, uneven glaze occurs on the edges of the ware and in areas where the shape of the ware changes.

Anything that significantly affects the aesthetics of the product is removed during inspection.

"Nunome" (Cloth pattern)

The back of Usukiyaki pieces, which are made using a "Katauchi" technique, are covered with a cloth called "Sarashi" when the curved shapes are formed with the fingers. Therefore some of the cloth pattern may still remain on the surface.

Variation in Shape

All Usukiyaki pieces are made by hand.

Faint variations in shape and size may occur with some products.

Rattling at the bottom

Due to the nature of ceramics, some deformation will occur when fired in a high-temperature kiln.

In order not to impair usability, the bottom is trimmed in the final process, but it will not be perfectly flat.