From Imperial Court Tributes to Your Table: The Art of Nabeshima Porcelain

For centuries, the porcelain emerging from the secluded valley of Okawachiyama was never meant for the public eye. Created by an elite group of master artisans under strict secrecy, Nabeshima-ware was crafted exclusively as diplomatic gifts for the Japanese imperial court and feudal lords. Because of its purpose, the designs had to be beautiful and flawless to meet the high standards of the ruling class.

Today, Nabeshima porcelain is available for many people to enjoy. Although centuries have passed since these pieces were reserved for the ruling class, the uncompromising quality and design philosophy of the original masters remain unchanged. What follows is a closer look at the Nabeshima Kosen collection we carry at Omakase, and explore the thoughtful design behind each piece.

The Nabeshima Celadon Teaware

Crafted from natural glaze stone mined directly from Mount Okawachi, this pairing features a distinctive jade-like blue-green shade reminiscent of still water.

The design presents a considered visual balance: The Celadon Porcelain Sencha Teacup features a smooth, rounded profile made for cradling comfortably in both hands, while the Celadon Porcelain Tea Saucer introduces a contemporary, softly squared shape with rounded corners where the celadon glaze coats the outer rim but leaves the recessed center as unglazed white porcelain to perfectly frame the cup when it is set down.

Completing the set is the Celadon Porcelain Teapot, designed with a full, rounded body, a precise, low-direct spout, and an elegant, arched overhead wooden handle that protects your hand from the heat.

Nabeshima Celadon Porcelain Woven Bamboo Plate

This Celadon Porcelain Woven Bamboo Plate brings a soft yet unconventional texture to the table with a design reminiscent of a traditional woven Japanese bamboo tray. Rendered in the signature jade blue-green tones of Nabeshima celadon, the porcelain replicates the intricate weave with enough precision that the surface reads as tactile rather than flat, completed by a slightly raised, realistic woven rim.

Iro-Nabeshima Glazed Porcelain Coffee Cup & Saucer 

These coffee cups and saucers shift the focus from monochromatic celadon to Iro-Nabeshima, a vibrant color-glaze style regarded as one of the highest peaks of Japanese aesthetic refinement since the Edo period. The technique uses deep indigo-blue outlines as a foundation, filled in by hand with a classic, brilliant three-color palette of red, green, and yellow.

We carry this shape in two motifs, each continuing across both the cup and the saucer. The Thistle design features a striking crimson blossom that has been a favorite pattern in Japan since the Edo period, lending a sharp, elegant look to the cup at the table. The Pomegranate design displays a lush fruit overflowing with seeds, which has long been cherished in Japanese culture as a traditional emblem of prosperity and abundance.

Everyday Luxury from Nabeshima Kosen Kiln

There is something significant about the fact that these pieces are available today. For centuries, this porcelain was out of reach of the public and reserved for the highest rulers of Japan. Now, that same artistry is available on a contemporary dining table.

What makes Nabeshima Kosen Kiln's design so distinctive is how naturally it bridges this gap, and that is even before diving into the complex intricacy of the process of creating the celadon porcelain. We explore that master craft and how these beautiful jade-like ceramics are formed in our previous blog, Nabeshima Kosen Kiln: Inside the Valley of Japan’s Secret Kilns. See exactly how this heritage is kept alive by the Kawasoe family, featuring an exclusive look inside the workshop in motion that takes you step-by-step through their exacting process.