ALONGU was founded in 2022 by SAIKAI Tokyo (including well-known brands such as HASAMI Porcelain). The entire collection was designed by award-winning designer Jin Kuramoto. Kuramoto studied Japanese porcelain production in Japan for several years to create the perfect product for ALONGU. His designs are inspired by the transformation process of Japanese dining culture that has developed over countless generations, in which different styles have been integrated and reinterpreted in unique ways. Therefore, the different plates and bowls are intended to be used for a wide variety of international dishes.
- Traditionally made in Hasami, Japan (Nagasaki Prefecture)
- Mass:
W 15 cm x H 5.5 cm
- Material: Porcelain; small black iron spots are a natural occurrence during the manufacturing process and present the individual character and charm
- Dishwasher safe / microwave safe
More about ALONGU:
ALONGU believes in the charm of individual expressions, such as natural variations in the glaze, but does not produce so-called B-grade products.
Porcelain products are often associated with the image of uniformity. In fact, however, they are the result of numerous processes shaped by nature, from kiln firing, where the internal state varies according to the season and climate, to steps performed by hand, to the product inspection process, where black iron spots and glaze variations are conventionally considered defects. ALONGU aims to showcase the beauty of nature and the individual characteristics of materials. Porcelain vessels are finished with a glaze that creates rich expressions through crystalline reactions. Small dots and variations that are generally considered flaws are expressions of their character, as ALONGU seeks to highlight the individual charm of the products to manufacturers and customers alike.
ALONGU's porcelain tableware is produced in the town of Hasami in Nagasaki Prefecture. During the brand's development, the porcelain industry, which is around 400 years old, fires large quantities of ceramics in large climbing kilns, with local people coming together to take turns to direct the fire. The spirit of sharing also extends to agriculture: local farmers use a common water source to grow rice in terraced fields. These communal approaches, which have been passed down to this day, inspired ALONGU to create products that enrich the relationships between the people (producers and customers) connected to the brand and the environment. This led to the development and implementation of a sustainable production cycle that takes natural variations into account, meaning there are no so-called B-grade products.
The name ALONGU refers to the pursuit of tableware for today's Japanese cuisine that encompasses various national and regional influences while signaling its future.
Based on the word “along,” the unique spelling reflects the Japanese romanization method, which in combination with Kanji characters明論具 expresses the concept of Japanese-made vessels for a wide range of international cuisine.
