[{"id":279063068836,"handle":"tsubamesanjyo","updated_at":"2022-08-06T17:36:02+01:00","published_at":"2021-09-02T07:05:14+01:00","sort_order":"best-selling","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"global","title":"Makers in Metal: Tsubame-Sanjo","body_html":"\u003cp\u003eA collection of items from the centre of metal and craft in Tsubame-Sanjo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing hand made processes, and industrial production too, the small and medium size firms in this region of Niigata, northern Japan, are makers focussed on new niches, and new ways to meet the needs of users.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom their roots making nails for construction, to the current rich seem of production, the makers based in the towns of Tsubame and Sanjo have had quality and an ethos of use at the centre of what they do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFind out \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/wagumi-j.com\/blogs\/news\/makers-in-metal\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Makers in Metal introduction\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003emore\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","image":{"created_at":"2021-09-14T16:15:53+01:00","alt":null,"width":4268,"height":3201,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1457\/9110\/collections\/e67976e36a0a98a2b126513de43fb232.jpg?v=1631632553"}},{"id":389492871,"handle":"metal","updated_at":"2022-08-04T14:25:36+01:00","published_at":"2016-10-05T16:20:00+01:00","sort_order":"created-desc","template_suffix":"","published_scope":"global","title":"Metal","body_html":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the 6th Century, Japan has been home to traditions of metalwork that set it apart from the west. Temple and Buddhist statue creation form a particular backdrop to how the craft in metal developed.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe most famous areas of metalwork production are known for their hard winters, and association with nature. These areas are renowned for their production of blades (for kitchen knives and scissors), and ironwork kettles.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSkills in metalwork have been passed through generations by the former makers of the blades held by samurai, and remain a source of pride today.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","image":{"created_at":"2016-10-31T19:22:23+00:00","alt":"","width":1478,"height":1108,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1457\/9110\/collections\/metal_c9eec15f-9f60-4ee3-95dc-65ddc6ac7de0.jpg?v=1592774668"}}]
On an architectural trip around Japan, you might be struck by the strength and variety of the roof tiles that you see.
In Niigata, these kawara tiles are made in the Yasuda region of Agano. A snowy corner of Japan, the tiles made here need to be strong to withstand what the elements throw at them, and are fired at more than 1200 degrees to achieve a hardness.
But they are also a tactile material, full of textual quality.
It is almost a shame to leave them just for roofs. Partially inspired by this emotion, the Yasuda Kawara makers paired with the designer Satoshi Umeno to produce a special series of Tsuki (‘moon’) tableware.
From the series this bowl is a representation of it material’s potential, and holds a particular Japanese feel.
It has a diameter of 123mm, and a heigh of 4.5mm. The bowl weighs 320g, and holds 150ml.
