【303select】 Arita Ware | Japan Sometsuke Chrysanthemum Pattern Octagonal Small Plate 3-inch

This 3-inch octagonal small plate from Keizan Gama, adorned with the Sometsuke technique, complements bright porcelain with intricate hand-painted motifs. Each piece embodies Japanese aesthetics and the warmth of handmade craftsmanship, showcasing the pure white texture and delicate, lightweight feel characteristic of Arita Ware. Paired with simple elements, it allows for a more free and relaxed enjoyment of daily life, making it an ideal companion for your everyday moments. Dishes are presented with particular warmth when set against this clean and elegant white porcelain. Arita Ware's smooth edges and fine texture enhance the presentation of any dish, effortlessly elevating even the simplest meals to a refined experience. It brings a sense of exquisite dining ritual into your home, gracing your table with beauty and enriching your life with a sense of comfortable aesthetics. What is "Sometsuke"? "Sometsuke" is an underglaze decoration technique that uses blue pigment for drawing. "Tsuke" refers to "decoration," meaning "to decorate with blue pigment." While commonly seen in Chinese blue and white porcelain from the Ming and Qing dynasties, in Japan, it is applied to the particularly white and lightweight Arita Ware. The resulting blue is exceptionally clean, reminiscent of indigo-dyed fabric, hence its name – "Sometsuke." This ceramic technique involves applying glaze to bisque-fired ware (a semi-finished product) and then firing it at high temperatures. Controlling color variations during firing is extremely difficult, requiring significant skill and experience. Although this limits the range of suitable pigments, the finished patterns are covered with a transparent glaze layer, giving the porcelain surface a smooth and exceptionally luminous texture. Combined with the unique whiteness and lightness of Arita Ware, the entire piece appears remarkably translucent, durable, and well-suited for daily use. Recommended for: Serving various small dishes, appetizers, dips, and sauces. Suitable for: ✓ Microwave × Oven Cleaning Instructions: 303 recommends hand washing as the best cleaning method. For glazed items (overglaze enamels), it is not advised to use methods other than hand washing to prevent damage to the glaze. ✓ Hand Wash: Can be cleaned with a soft cloth or sponge. ✓ Dishwasher: Prolonged use in a dishwasher, with its vibrations and cleaning cycles, may cause minor damage to thin porcelain. × Dish Dryer About Arita Ware Arita Ware originates from Saga Prefecture, the birthplace of Japanese ceramics. It gained popularity in Europe in the 1650s, marking the beginning of Japanese ceramics' international recognition. Its defining characteristic is its white, lightweight texture, with a hardness as fine as glass. This unprecedented ceramic quality, combined with ornate Japanese decorative designs, was highly favored by European nobility at the time. For 400 years, Arita Ware has embodied a unique Japanese aesthetic through tradition and innovation. Since 2016, new endeavors like the SAGAMA project have showcased the fusion of modern and traditional craftsmanship. Brand Story | About Keizan Gama Founded by Mr. Ryuichi Shinohara in 1957, the kiln's name originates from the beautiful Sarukawa Valley nearby. Keizan Gama initially specialized in creating vessels for the Imperial family and high-end Japanese restaurants. However, with changing times, it gradually transitioned to producing tableware suitable for everyday home use. Each piece from Keizan Gama is hand-painted by artisans, whose exquisite skill and color control imbue every item with a unique handmade warmth, offering elegant details and practicality. The brand is dedicated to conveying that using Keizan Gama ceramics can bring greater comfort and joy to the user's daily life. Imported from Japan × Made in Saga Prefecture × Produced by Keizan Gama Kiln: Keizan Gama Material: Arita Ware Porcelain (Amakusa Toseki Stone from Kumamoto Prefecture) Color: White Porcelain, Sometsuke Size: Approx. ∅9 × H 2 cm Weight: Approx. 65 g Imported from Japan × Made in Saga Prefecture × Produced by Keizan Gama Kiln: Keizan Gama Material: Arita Ware Porcelain (Amakusa Toseki Stone from Kumamoto Prefecture) Glaze: Sometsuke Aka-e Color: Red Size: Approx. ∅9 × H 2 cm Weight: Approx. 65 g