The Brand: Following the tradition of Arita pottery (Arita being the first town that succeeded to make porcelain in Japan in the early 17th century), Teruhiro Yanagihara developed a series of ceramics using the traditional technique of clay made of crushed stone. The result is a high-density kind of clay that makes the pottery extremely strong and heat/stain resistant, even without a glaze. The designs are meant for everyday use and can be dressed up or dressed down and mixed with any other bright or subtle ceramic pieces. “True beauty lies in imperfection,” being an underlying belief which Yanagihara embraced, this is a perfect melding of traditional technique with new thinking. The results are distinctive and lovely.

Description: The square bowl series shows Yanagihara’s interest in “borderless” design. Items don’t have predetermined functions but allow for different combinations and usages. They can be used for rice or a salad just as easily as cereal or oatmeal, or alternatively to hold keys or jewelry on your dresser. While the subtlety of design and feel is beguiling to us—it’s quiet and understated—we also enjoy seeing them mixed with bolder patterned ceramics or linens in our Main Street Wiscasset shop.

Details: small - 5 3/4 x 5 x 1 3/4 inches / medium - 7 1/4 x 6 1/4 x 1 3/4 inches, glazed white, suitable for oven, microwave and dishwasher use though we prefer hand-washing

A Note From Erika: Just such a beautiful geometric shape. I also think it would be great for a bar of soap or for your jewelry.