A sushi plate set for two in the traditional Iga glaze.
Iga, the home of Iga yaki, is a small
castle town in the mountains of Mie prefecture, famous as the
birthplace of Iga ninja. Geographically, Iga is very close to
Shigaraki in Shiga prefecture and as a result the wares share certain
common characteristics. Once situated on the bed of Lake Biwa
(Japan's largest lake), Iga benefitted from the lake's shift east to
Shiga pref. due to changes in the earth's crust over 1.2 million
years ago. Good quality clay, rich in minerals was left behind and
this has made Iga yaki extremely resistant to heat. As a result the
wares react well to repeated firing, giving craftsmen an excellent
opportunity to experiment with different firing techniques. Iga yaki
epitomises the Japanese aesthetic of "wabi sabi" with its
rustic appearance and irregular forms. Many pieces are covered with
the classic "bidoro" glassy glaze which is formed by the
ash in a hot kiln. Inspired and dynamic, This Iga sushi gift set is a combination of careful planning on the part of the craftsmen and their ability to give free rein to the impetuous forces of nature within the confines of the kiln, producing pieces which are created from the earth and shaped by the nature that surrounds them.
Includes 2 plates, 2 soy dishes and 2 pairs of
chopsticks. Both the plates and the soy dishes feature "Iga Finish" in a split clay and gloss green. The sushi gift set plates are 8.25 x 5 inches. The shallow soy
dishes are 2.75 inches square. The chopsticks are a twisted bamboo and
are 9 inches long. All parts are made in Japan and are packaged in a
nice black gift box made of recycled cardboard.