Update: Savory Japan’s Online Gallery

My husband Kirk and I are hard at work on Savory Japan’s online gallery. Since this is our first e-commerce site, there are many things to work out, including the name and logo, return policies, payment gateways, etc. But, I’m happy to report that we now have a small selection of fine antique and vintage tableware to share with you.

I wanted to show one of my favorite items, three (sold individually) Edo-era Kyo-yaki plates in the shape of sasa bamboo leaves. If you’ve ever been seated at the counter of one of Japan’s fine sushi establishments, you might have been served a few pieces of sushi on fresh green bamboo leaves. Using these plates, one would have a similar feeling of freshness. But what I like about these are the life-like modeling, variegated color and clay feet, which raise the plates elegantly above the plane of the table.

Kyo-yaki plates in the shape of sasa bamboo leaves

We will offer oribe, imari, mimpei, seto, raku, hagi and karatsu ceramic dishes, mostly in sets, and a few chawan for tea ceremonies. We’ll also carry a few elegant lacquer bowl sets. Purchasing the stock has been a joy, although honestly speaking, the strength of the yen has kept a few items out of reach. However, it won’t always be this way, and we’ll keep searching for items during our upcoming trips to Japan.

Our goal is to provide table settings for lovers of Japanese cuisine to showcase their creations in the best light. Tableware is so central to the enjoyment of Japan cuisine that I can’t stress it enough. If you’ve ever traveled to Japan, you know exactly what I mean. And what is nice about Japanese tableware is its versatility and visual impact: a few select pieces (especially small kozara) can be mixed with Western dishes to great effect.

If all goes well, we hope to have site up by March, which is only a few weeks away. See you then!