Biwako Cup & Saucer

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This set of cups and plates features beautiful light blue and white colors. The motif of this product is Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, located in Shiga Prefecture. The plate has a deep blue color in the middle of the cup and a cool light blue color around it. Drinking from this cup will make you feel somewhat cool.
We hope you will try to incorporate Shigaraki ware, which has a history of more than 1,200 years, into your daily life.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1200 years ago / 800AD / Heian period in Japan

It is said to be one of the "Six Oldest Kilns of Japan" and has been in existence since the time of hunting and gathering (More than 2700 years ago). Until half a century ago, Shigaraki ware's main products accounted for 80% of the market share in Japan.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Takashi Ueda / Soutouen
Shigaraki pottery shop called Soutouen is located in Shigraraki city in Shiga prefecture. They own the largest kiln in Japan and produce large number of crafts in a certain season. They mainly make tableware, but also craft tea ceremony utensils, fountains, pots and even tire stopper for parking lots.

Craftsman Passion

"Using crafts enriches your mind"
Crafts are just a kind of luxury item and may not be necessary for daily life compared to dishes that can be purchased cheaply. However, I believe that picking up a craft and using it in your daily life enriches your heart somehow. When our hearts are enriched, our lives are also enriched. With this thought in mind, I am producing works that you hopefully love.

Achievement

Designated as a traditional craftsman

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Kintsugi Insurance Service：Eternal Product Life

What is Kintsugi: Explanation and PICTURE

Kintsugi is one of the traditional skills in Japan repairing broken ceramics or glass. Broken part will be mended with lacquer and the product will get more beautiful look with covering gold/silver on the area of breakage.

Cost for Kintsugi Insurance

Our selling price includes Kintsugi Insurance (Only in the case of kintsugi available products such as Ceramics). Once our products are broken, please let us know and send it to Japan. Your product will be back to your home with upgrading beautiful outlook!

Delivery Fee

Although Kintsugi itself is free as an insurance service, delivery fee will be owned by customers each time. However, it will worth using this kintsugi service since the story between you and products will continue!

Measurement

Width：5.3cm
Depth：5.3cm
Height：8cm
Weight：377g

Material & Caution

Materials

Clay

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.