The Charm of Hasami Ware | Playful and Practical Tableware for Everyday Life
At YAKiMON JAPAN, we carry two types of ceramics from Kyushu — Hasami ware and Arita ware. Our journey began with Hasami ware, and in this blog, we’d like to share its unique features and timeless charm.
Hasami Ware — Loved as Everyday Tableware
Hasami ware has been cherished for over 400 years as everyday tableware loved by ordinary people.
Produced alongside neighboring Arita ware since the early Edo period, Hasami ware followed a different path in both history and design. While Arita ware became known for its delicate, ornate porcelain made for the Tokugawa shogunate and high-end restaurants, Hasami ware focused on creating simple, high-quality tableware for daily use.
One of its most iconic items, the Kurawanka chawan—a rice bowl decorated with modest patterns—became a huge hit among common people in the Edo era. To produce large quantities of well-crafted ceramics, artisans in Hasami developed an efficient division of labor, allowing for both quality and accessibility. This spirit of craftsmanship has been passed down through generations, and today Hasami ware remains one of Japan’s top three producers of everyday Japanese tableware, loved by people across the country and beyond.
The Features and Charm of Hasami Ware
Hasami ware is known for its everyday usability and charming designs. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the features that make Hasami ware so delightful and beloved in daily life.
Playful and Charming Designs
One of the first things that catches your eye about Hasami ware is its playful and charming design. In Japan, these colorful and modern patterns are especially popular among young women. Despite being a traditional production area, Hasami Town has a welcoming atmosphere for young designers, attracting many creative talents from across the country. This openness has led to a continuous flow of fresh ideas and new expressions, giving Hasami ware its unique, modern charm while staying true to its roots.
Blending Traditional Craftsmanship and Modern Technology
Hasami ware has been made for over 400 years since the early Edo period, with traditional techniques carefully passed down through generations. In recent years, modern machines have also been introduced, allowing artisans to combine efficiency with craftsmanship. While machines handle certain steps, skilled craftsmen still take care of the details that require a human touch. This balance between tradition and technology keeps Hasami ware loved and trusted to this day.
The Power of Hasami’s Crafting Community
Hasami Town in Nagasaki Prefecture, the home of Hasami ware, is a small town of about 14,000 people. Remarkably, around 30% of the population works in the ceramics industry. The art of pottery is deeply rooted in the community, with knowledge and values surrounding craftsmanship shared throughout the town. This long-standing pride in creating quality pieces is reflected in every item made in Hasami.
Practical for Everyday Use
Hasami Town is one of Japan’s most renowned porcelain-producing regions. Made from fine porcelain, Hasami ware is both microwave and dishwasher safe, making it perfect for everyday use. Unlike earthenware, which can be more delicate, porcelain offers excellent durability and convenience for modern living.
All Hasami ware available at YAKiMON JAPAN is, of course, safe for use in both the microwave and dishwasher. I use them every day at home myself—and they hold up perfectly!
Easy-to-Use Size and Weight
YAKiMON JAPAN’s Hasami ware is designed with the perfect balance of size and lightness, making it easy to use in any daily setting. Slightly smaller than a standard dinner plate, it’s ideal for breakfast toast, salads, appetizers, or desserts—one plate that serves many purposes at the table.
Lightweight and easy to handle, it’s perfect as a child’s first ceramic dish or for everyday use by seniors. Combining functionality with beautiful design, Hasami ware is made to be loved and used for years in every home.
A Perfect Match for Any Kitchen or Interior
Hasami ware features a simple and refreshing design that blends beautifully with any interior. Many of the plates offered by YAKiMON JAPAN showcase sometsuke—traditional Hasami-style blue patterns painted on a white porcelain base. This timeless color combination brings a clean, soothing touch that suits any kitchen or room.
Other pieces also come in calm, neutral tones, making them easy to coordinate with a wide range of styles. Customers in Canada and the U.S. often tell us how they love the balance of unique design and harmony with their home décor.
Hasami ware naturally fits into homes around the world while reflecting the quiet beauty of Japanese aesthetics—that is its true charm.
My Impressions from Visiting Hasami Town
My first visit to Hasami Town was in November 2022. I arrived by highway bus and tried to find a taxi—but there wasn’t a single one in sight! I had an appointment with a local wholesaler right after arriving, so I panicked for a moment. Thankfully, a kind lady nearby came to my rescue, and I made it just in time.
Though Hasami is famous for its ceramics, it’s a peaceful rural town surrounded by beautiful countryside. During my meeting, even as someone with no prior experience, I told them, “I want to bring Hasami ware to Canada!” Everyone was so encouraging and open-minded—it was amazing how naturally the conversation progressed.
Since I was new to ceramics, I asked many basic questions about production, and they patiently explained each process in detail. When I visited the production site, I was surprised by how modernized it was, with large machines working alongside skilled artisans. What struck me most, though, was the deep pride and care each craftsman put into every single piece they made.
With so many wonderful qualities, Hasami ware makes a perfect choice for your home or as a thoughtful gift for someone special. We hope it helps you discover a new side of Japan’s beauty and craftsmanship.