Touan
Touan was founded back in 1922. Although Kyoto ware is oftentimes colored after firing them in the oven, the artisans at Touan add the color prior to firing. Furthermore, the firing takes place at a whopping 1,200℃. Such high temperatures makes it extraordinarily difficult to produce vivid colors. That’s why the skilled people at Touan developed a proprietary paint. The fourth generation head of Touan, Yoshiaki Dobuchi, is the mastermind behind the unique “Hana-kessho” (flower crystal) that appear in many of the works you see here.
Plates
Hana-kessho
The flowering crystals are made using a special glaze that crystallizes as it cools. The crystals on Touan’s products are exceptionally large and beautiful. No two works are ever the same, making all of them unique.
Mugs
Hana-kessho
The flowering crystals on the mugs appear on the insides of the mugs as well. No two mugs are the same.
Lucky cat
Maneki-Neko
The lucky “beckoning cats” have been bringing in luck and prosperity for centuries with their mythologized powers. Each cat is crafted and painted by hand. No two cats are the same.