ceramicsJul 30, 2026

Hasami-yaki: Everyday Porcelain from Nagasaki

Hasami-yaki is a ceramic tradition centred on Hasami Town in Nagasaki Prefecture. Its best-known products are practical porcelain dishes for daily meals. The region also made pottery in its early years, so calling every historical Hasami piece porcelain would be inaccurate.

Four centuries of tableware

Excavations place early kilns around 1600. Porcelain production began around the 1610s–1620s, and the discovery of porcelain stone in Mitsunomata helped establish larger porcelain kilns in the 1630s. From the late seventeenth century, Hasami produced large quantities of everyday bowls and plates. Kurawanka bowls became familiar tableware, while compra bottles carried sake and soy sauce overseas. Modern Hasami-yaki continues to change with the needs of the table. Hasami Town records its national Traditional Craft designation in 1978.

How it is made

The local production system divides work among specialists, including mould makers, body makers, kilns and wholesalers. A shape may therefore reflect several craftspeople and businesses rather than one studio. Historical blue underglaze on a light body is one recognizable style, but current makers use many colours, glazes and forms. A single pattern cannot authenticate every Hasami piece.

Choosing and caring for a piece

Check the maker or seller, material, size and care instructions for the exact item. Origin information can help identify where a piece was made, but it does not guarantee that every item has identical care requirements. Some contemporary pieces are marked as microwave or dishwasher compatible and others are not. Follow the product-specific label and avoid sudden temperature changes when guidance is absent.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hasami-yaki the same as Arita-yaki? They are neighbouring Hizen ceramic traditions with connected trade histories, but place of production and modern brand identity differ. Does all Hasami-yaki look blue and white? No; that is a historical style, while current tableware spans many finishes. Is it all porcelain? Porcelain predominates in familiar modern tableware, while early regional kiln history also includes pottery.