Use & care
Live with them properly.
Two materials, two rhythms: unglazed wood-fired stoneware, and hand-foiled Himalayan textiles.
House of Bizen
Caring for unglazed Bizen-Yaki
Bizen ware carries no glaze. Its surface is fired clay, ash and flame, so it responds to how you use it — gently, and it improves for decades.
- 01
Before the first use
Rinse the piece in warm water and wipe it with a soft cloth. No soap, no soaking. A short rinse opens the micro-porous body and removes kiln dust.
- 02
Brewing tea
Warm the vessel with hot water first, then brew as usual. The iron-bearing clay softens sharpness and holds temperature, so a slightly shorter steep is often enough.
- 03
Serving sake and water
Both chilled and warmed service suit Bizen. Avoid sudden temperature jumps — never pour boiling water into a cold piece straight from a cupboard.
- 04
Everyday cleaning
Warm water and a soft brush only. Avoid detergent, dishwashers, microwaves, ovens and long soaking, all of which leave residue or stress the body.
- 05
Drying and storage
Air-dry completely, face up, before putting the piece away. Storing a damp unglazed vessel in a closed box is the single most common cause of odour.
- 06
Seasoning over time
Colour deepens with use. Dedicate a teapot to one family of tea so the seasoning stays coherent, and expect the surface to gain lustre over years.
House of Tanchenki
Caring for mandala cushion covers
Covers combine dense printing with hand-applied gold and silver foil. Cold water, shade and patience keep the artwork exactly as it left the studio.
- 01
Preparing the cover
Remove the insert and close the concealed zip before washing. This protects both the teeth and the printed face.
- 02
Washing
Cold hand wash, or a gentle machine cycle at 30 °C inside a laundry bag. Wash with similar colours and use a mild, bleach-free detergent.
- 03
Never do this
No bleach, no tumble drying, no soaking overnight, no aggressive wringing. Metallic foil and high-density print do not recover from harsh treatment.
- 04
Drying
Press the water out gently in a towel and dry flat in the shade. Direct sun and radiators fade colour and lift foil.
- 05
Ironing
Iron on the reverse only, at low heat, never directly over foil or printed areas. A cotton cloth between the iron and the fabric is safer still.
- 06
Keeping the face full
Use a 55 × 55 cm insert inside a 50 × 50 cm cover. Air the insert monthly and plump it by hand so the mandala reads flat and square.