MIZA takes pride in working with artisans from Hasami, Japan, to produce our porcelain candle vessels. Through the careful craftsmanship of many skilled hands, raw materials from the earth are transformed into works of art.

BEHIND THE SCENES

The town of Hasami is an interdependent network of studios, all specializing in different parts of the ceramics production process; making the clay, making the molds, making the shapes, then glazing and firing the shapes. Together, they operate as one factory, combining time-honored materials and techniques with modern technology and design.

MIZA expresses deep respect and admiration for the numerous artisans who craft our candle vessels. It’s been a privilege to watch them at work—a combination of confidence and grace with every touch. We are thrilled to bring this level of quality and craftsmanship to your home.

Hasami Town, Kiln Museum and Noborigama

HASAMI HISTORY

At the close of the 16th Century, the feudal lord of the Hasami region, Yoshiako Omura, travelled to Korea during the Imjin War. Upon his return back to Japan, he brought some skilled Korean potters with him, who identifying the Hasami area as a good source for kaolin-rich clay, the key ingredient for making porcelain.

They constructed three large noborigama, or ‘climbing’ kilns in Hasami. Built into the sides of a steep hills, these innovative kilns use a single fire at the bottom to heat a series of ascending chambers. This allowed for greater control over temperatures, and vastly increased the scale of production. By the end of the Edo Period, Hasami was Japan’s largest producer of porcelain goods.

Traditional plate dance performance, a Ceramics Festival display

Today, there are many ceramics brands produced in Hasami, including Maruhiro Inc, and the ‘Hasami Porcelain’ brand of tableware by designer Takuhiro Shinomoto. The Hasami Porcelain Festival is held every Spring, with over 100 retailers, manufacturers and kilns participating. Workshops, tours, and a wide range of ceramics are available to visitors.

Images of MIZA Artisans in Hasami ©2024 MIZA