Product Care Guide
How to care for our products
Like all tableware and handmade homewares, our products should be used with some degree of care to help keep them looking good. Depending on their material, whether wood fired earthenware or traditional Japanese lacquer, you may need to take extra care when using and washing our products. By virtue of their traditional hand-crafted techniques some may be a bit more delicate than your average homewares, so make sure you read the recommendations from the maker of your product below.
Ceramics
These vases are all unglazed and lined with a sealant. Very occasionally the sealant doesn't cover the vase properly and the vase can leak or get damp spots. For some, this is included in the Beauty of Imperfection, but understandably, for others this crosses the line to a fault! If this happens to you, please get in touch and we can mend the vase.______________________________
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: Yes
Repetitive, hard use of metal cutlery will leave surface marks (as on all tableware) which can be more noticeable on dark glazes.
A characteristic of Koishiwara glaze is that darker food colourings can settle into the veins and crackle of lighter glazes. This is seen as attractive by some ceramics enthusiasts, and they even try to artificially age their plates and bowls by soaking them in soy sauce. To Western eyes this can seem strange, so if you want to ensure that you keep a clear white finish, then before using, you can soak the items in water, or if you have it starchy water like pasta or rice water. This should prevent the glaze picking up darker colours from the food. We have never had any problems, and all stains we have had on our plates have come out in the dishwasher.
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
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Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: No
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
The Kokuji vases are all lined with a sealant because the clay is so porous. Very occasionally the sealant doesn't cover the vase properly and the vase can leak or get damp spots. For some, this is included in the Beauty of Imperfection, but understandably, for others this crosses the line to a fault! If this happens to you, please get in touch and we can mend the vase.
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Kuninari Kiln
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: No
You can use metal serving utensils in these bowls, but please be gentle. The glaze is dishwasher proof, but for larger items we recommend hand washing with care.
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
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Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: No
Earthenware by its nature is less resilient than porcelain, so we recommend using metal cutlery gently.
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
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Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: No
Like all porcelain, repetitive hard use of metal cutlery can eventually leave grey lines in the glaze.
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
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Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: No
By virtue of its fine making, Takatori products are more delicate, so please be careful, but they are still suitable for everyday life.
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
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Dishwasher safe: Yes
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: No
Wood fired earthenware by its nature is less resilient than stoneware or porcelain, so please use metal cutlery gently.
A characteristic of Koishiwara glaze is that darker food colourings can settle into the veins and crackle of lighter colour glazes. This is seen as attractive by some ceramics enthusiasts, and they even try to artificially age their plates and bowls by soaking them in soy sauce. To Western eyes this can seem strange, so if you want to ensure that you keep a light finish to your glaze, then before using, you can soak the items in water, or if you have it starchy water like pasta or rice water. This should prevent the glaze picking up darker colours from the food.
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
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Please be careful of the lip to prevent chipping
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Dishwasher safe: Yes, but please read below
Microwave safe: Yes
Oven safe: No
These can be put in the dishwasher, but for the Brown Sujitsuki plates we have noticed some clouding after being in the dishwasher which can usually be polished out, but to be on the safe side, please wash by hand. Please take care using metal cutlery with these handmade plates, dark glazes always show knife marks more than white ones.
These are all food safe and conform to BS6748:1986 + A1:2011 (Toxic Metal Release)
Lacquer
Dishwasher safe: No
Microwave safe: No
Oven safe: No
Please do not use metal cutlery as it will damage the lacquer.
Please hand wash with care: do not immerse for any length of time or use an abrasive cleaning pad, and dry with a soft cloth as soon as you can after washing. Give a final wipe with a dry cloth to prevent any dulling.
Do not place in direct sunlight, this can cause discolouration or deformation.
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Dishwasher safe: No
Microwave safe: No
Oven safe: No
Please do not use metal cutlery as it will damage the lacquer.
Please hand wash with care: do not immerse for any length of time or use an abrasive cleaning pad, and dry with a soft cloth as soon as you can after washing. Give a final wipe with a dry cloth to prevent any dulling.
Do not place in direct sunlight, this can cause discolouration or deformation.
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Morita Shikki Lampshades
These lampshades are very finely turned and should be handled as if they were fine glass. Please gently hold by the thicker boss on the top rather than the thin edge of the shade to prevent any damage when inserting the lampholder or bulb.
This shade is rated for a 5.5W E27 LED golf ball bulb.
Due to the depth of the boss, it can be hard to find a lampholder that will fit, please see our lighting accessories page to see what we suggest.
Conforms to BS EN 60598-1:2015 (Low Voltage Directive)
Paper
Over time with exposure to light the hemp papers will soften to a slightly creamier / yellow tone.
If the chōchin doesn’t expand neatly, either briefly hold it 30cm over steam or put over a humidifier and softly pull apart. The chōchin isn’t waterproof, so please be careful.
This shade is rated for a 60W E27 Incandescent bulb or equivalent.
Conforms to BS EN 60598-1:2015 (Low Voltage Directive)
Our shades either come with a cord grip (in white or black) to fix directly to the flex, or they come with a bracket (this should be clear in each product description - if it is not, please just ask!). To fit the bracket, you need a threaded E27 lampholder with shade rings. The bracket will fit between the shade rings. Your shade will fit any UK / EU / US lampholder (lampsocket in the US) and it will come with simple instructions. Please see below examples.
Sedge
Dishwasher safe: No
Microwave safe: No
Oven safe: No
These coasters can be used for hot pans, but inevitably the colour will change if they are exposed to high heat.
For liquid spillages, please mop up with a dry cloth and then dry the coaster as quick as you can, but please don’t rub - hard rubbing can tear apart the fibres of the sedge.
For more sticky spillages, use a slightly damp cloth and gently dab the stain away, and then dry the coaster.
Avoid storing in a humid place, avoid direct sunlight and please don’t immerse or wash in water.
Textiles
Kittaka, Nomura, Sakata and Shimokawa Orimono
Like all indigo products, the indigo can sometimes transfer to other fabrics, and it will also fade slightly over time.
These can be washed at 30 degrees, although that may accelerate any fading.
The pad is 85% feather and 15% down.
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These fabrics do not use natural indigo and are colourfast.These can be washed at 30 degrees.
The pad is 85% feather and 15% down.
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Like all indigo products, the indigo can sometimes transfer to other fabrics, and it will also fade slightly over time.
If you are particularly sensitive to alkalis, please be aware that indigo is alkaline.
These can be washed at 30 degrees, although that may accelerate any fading.
The pad is 85% feather and 15% down.
Kintsugi
Kintsugi is beautiful, and not just to look at – with a little care any piece mended with kintsugi can still be used. Natural Lacquer and gold are food safe, so there is nothing to worry about in terms of your health. Of course, the pieces are fragile and the gold (or silver) can be rubbed off with rough treatment, so here are our pointers:
- The number one rule is to treat any kintsugi very gently.
- Japanese tableware is designed with chopsticks in mind. We do not recommend using a knife and fork on a kintsugi piece.
- Please do not use the piece over direct heat, in the microwave or oven, and please do not steam.
- Wash with tepid water, or you can use a 5% solution of gentle washing up liquid to water.
- After washing, dry thoroughly with a dry towel. Please do not leave the piece in water.
- Never use the dishwasher or the gold / silver will come off.
- Please do not use a hard sponge, brush, scourer or a harsh cleanser when you wash.
- Lacquer glue is strong, but please avoid knocking or dropping the piece.
- If you want to stack the pieces, please place a sheet of cloth or kitchen paper between the pieces. If you have a piece on display, please stand it on a cloth rather than a hard surface. If it slides across the surface, there is a risk the gold will be scraped away.