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Brands & Kilns

Famous Kilns, Real Pieces

Japan's pottery regions each have a character of their own. Here is how to tell them apart — and which we carry.

A branded Japanese ceramic is a piece carrying the name of its region or kiln — Arita and Kutani porcelain, Mino and Hasami ware, Shigaraki and Bizen stoneware — each with a distinct body, glaze and decoration.

RegionBodyKnown for
Arita / ImariPorcelainFine white body, blue & polychrome painting
KutaniPorcelainBold five-colour overglaze
MinoStoneware/porcelainEveryday range; Oribe green, Shino white
HasamiPorcelainClean, modern, well-priced daily ware
ShigarakiStonewareRustic, warm, earthy texture
BizenStonewareUnglazed, wood-fired, iron-brown surface
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Brands we carry

Representative — actual line-up confirmed in store.

Arita · porcelain

Arita ware

Crisp white porcelain with fine hand-painting.

Kutani · porcelain

Kutani ware

Vivid overglaze colour and gold.

Mino · stoneware

Mino ware

Japan's workhorse pottery — Oribe and Shino glazes.

How to tell the real thing

Turn a piece over. Kiln and maker marks, the foot ring's finish, and — for finer work — a signed box (tomobako) all tell you it is genuine. Our staff will walk you through the marks on anything you are considering.

See the pieces in the light

Glaze and weight only make sense in the hand. Come and turn a few over.

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