Care Guide
How to properly handle and maintain your Kyoto ceramics to preserve their unique beauty and character for generations.
A Tradition Born in the Heart of Kyoto
Kyoto ware pottery (Kyo-yaki • Kiyomizu-yaki) is one of the leading traditional crafts of Kyoto and of Japan. Kyo-yaki is the general term for Kyoto earthenware, while kiyomizu-yaki is one of the most characteristic types of kyo-yaki.
Kyo-yaki was born in the cultural climate of Kyoto, a place with a history reaching back more than 1,000 years. These exquisitely handsome works are completely handmade, and are distinctive in their refined sense of form and color. The unique beauty of these pieces is a true expression of the combination of traditional sensibility and techniques with a modern mindset.
Everyday Tips for Long-Lasting Beauty
Care Instructions (pottery)
Soaking in warm water before use will allow the pottery to absorb water. This will make it more difficult for tea or soup particles to cling to the walls after use.
Pottery can easily absorb the smell of its contents, so please be sure to clean and dry thoroughly after each use.
Rapid temperature changes (such as those due to boiling water or direct exposure to flame) may cause damage.
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Do not allow pottery to rub against table surfaces, as it may leave scratches.
Do not microwave or otherwise expose to very high temperatures.
Care Instructions (porcelain)
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Don't use it in the way which will lead to rapid temperature change such as pouring boiling water in or putting it near the fire.
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Please wash it by hands. Don't use a dishwasher or a dryer. When washing it, take care not to use a dish mop too hard.
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Do not allow pottery to rub against table surfaces, as it may leave scratches.
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Do not microwave or otherwise expose to very high temperatures.
Four Centuries of Rakuyaki
About the Rakuyaki
Since keeping up the tradition of four hundred years in Kyoto, Rakuyaki is the very soft and warm ware. The longer you use it, the better its flavor and texture will be.
About the treatment of Rakuyaki
Because the material is very soft, it may get hurt if you treat the ware rudely. So please treat the goods gently.
About the scissor mark of tongs
On the surface of the bowl of Rakuyaki, especially the Kuro-raku, sometimes there is a mark of scissor. The mark was left when the artisan took the bowl out of a high temperature kiln.
We have carried on this method of baking from the age of Rikyu and Chojiro. We would appreciate it if you could regard it as the texture of the Wabi-cha, which is a style of Japanese.
Time Spent with a Bowl of Tea
Before you use the green tea bowl, please dip it in the water or warm water. For this, the bowl will be less likely to get dirty, and avoid damaging.
Because of its high water absorbability and breathability, after you pour the clean water into the bowl, please don't forget to dry it sufficiently, and then put it away.
If you don't dry the bowl after your using, the remaining water and dirty may lead to the rust and the bad smell. If the bowl is attached with the bad smell, please make a tea in the bowl for a week. By doing so, the bad smell will disappear naturally.
If you expose the bowl to something with high-acid for a long time, the transmutation and changing in color might happen. For this reason, please avoid using the bowl for a purpose other than the green tea bowl.
