Porcelain That Feeds a Nation

Feb 6, 2026

「EP.110」

HASAMI YAKI
Nagasaki Prefecture

「transcript」

Porcelain requires rare stone, and Kyushu is one of the few places in Japan where it can be found. Around 1610, after the Korean campaigns, the Omura (大村) domain brought skilled craftsmen to Hasami, where porcelain production began as luxury ware.

Around 1650, civil war in China disrupted ceramic exports, and global trade turned to Japan. Through East Asian trading routes, orders flowed into Hasami, transforming it into a center for practical, large-scale porcelain production.

Even after Chinese exports recovered, Hasami continued refining durable tableware for everyday Japanese life.

This was made possible by a strong division of labor, where each step is handled by different specialized companies and craftsmen, from clay preparation and mold making, to forming, firing, and decoration.

Alongside this system is Hasami’s distinctive design language, where patterns are painted freehand with single brush strokes using cobalt blue, giving even mass-produced pieces a clear sense of human touch.

Today, Hasami accounts for around 15% of all Japanese ceramics, proving that the most influential crafts are built for daily use, not display.

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