Japanese Porcelain Care: Arita, Hasami, and Kutani
5 min readAn Arita teacup, a Hasami plate and a Kutani sake cup may all be porcelain, yet need different care. Before putting any of them in a dishwasher or microwave, check the maker’s instructions for that piece. Painted enamels, gold decoration and old repairs can change how it should be handled.
Washing new and everyday porcelain
New porcelain generally needs a gentle wash, rinse and dry before use. Rice-water seasoning, or medome, is intended for certain absorbent ceramics and cooking pots; use it only when the maker recommends it.
- Rinse both sides with warm water to remove dust.
- Wash with a soft sponge and mild dishwashing detergent. Avoid metal scrubbers, abrasive pads and vigorous rubbing over painted or gilded areas.
- Rinse thoroughly and dry. Wash gold-decorated pieces promptly rather than leaving them soaking overnight.
These steps are for sound, washable porcelain. Ask for advice before washing a piece with flaking decoration or an old repair. Avoid unapproved descalers, acids and abrasive cleaners.
What the regional names tell you
Japanese porcelain is called jiki (磁器). Its body is generally well vitrified, although firing temperatures and water absorption vary. Appearance or a ringing sound alone will not reliably distinguish it from stoneware; our stoneware and porcelain guide explains what to look for.
- Arita-yaki (有田焼), Saga Prefecture: includes plain white porcelain, underglaze blue and coloured overglaze decoration.
- Hasami-yaki (波佐見焼), Nagasaki Prefecture: made in a town neighbouring Arita, with a long tradition of everyday tableware.
- Kutani-yaki (九谷焼), Ishikawa Prefecture: known for vivid overglaze enamels, including the five-colour gosai palette of green, yellow, red, purple and dark blue. Read more in our beginner’s guide to Kutani ware.
Recognising the decoration
Decoration helps explain why a piece needs particular care. The maker’s washing and appliance instructions still take precedence, including for named styles such as Kakiemon and Nabeshima.
Plain white: hakuji (白磁)
Hakuji has no painted colour decoration. Check the glaze, shape and product instructions before using it in an appliance.
Blue and white: sometsuke (染付)
Cobalt-blue decoration sits beneath a transparent glaze. The glaze protects the colour, but abrasive cleaning can still damage the surface.
Overglaze enamel: iroe (色絵)
Coloured enamels are painted over an already fired glaze, then fired again. Handle these surfaces gently and never scratch the paint to identify it. Our aka-e guide looks at the overglaze-red tradition.
Gold decoration: kinsai and kinrande (金襴手)
Gold may appear as a fine line or as part of an elaborate kinrande pattern. Hand-wash delicate gilding as directed. Keep metallic-decorated pieces out of the microwave and dishwasher unless the maker explicitly permits that exact product.
Dishwashers, microwaves and sudden heat
Check dishwasher and microwave compatibility separately. Koransha’s hand-painted Akaemachi cup, for example, is microwave-compatible, while the maker advises against dishwasher use. Overglaze colour is not always metallic, but dishwasher heat, detergents and contact with other dishes can affect delicate decoration.
Metal decoration can arc in a microwave. Do not test it on a short cycle or low setting. When compatibility is unclear, transfer the food to a vessel confirmed safe for microwave use.
Avoid sudden temperature changes. Boiling water poured into cold porcelain, or a plate moved straight from a freezer to a hot oven, can cause cracking. Let pieces reach room temperature first; this does not make a piece oven-safe.
Crackle, chips and repairs
Kannyū (貫入) is a network of fine cracks in the glaze. It can be intentional, often arising from differences in contraction between the glaze and body. Follow the maker’s care instructions for a known crackle-glazed piece.
New crazing, flaking, leaks and structural cracks need assessment. Do not assume an older or unidentified piece is suitable for food because its crackle looks decorative. Stop using chipped or structurally cracked porcelain for food until it has been assessed.
A repair’s suitability for food depends on its materials and the repairer’s instructions. Our kintsugi guide explains the questions to ask.
Storage and stacking
Put porcelain away clean and dry. Avoid heavy stacks, and place paper or a thin cotton cloth between plates and nested bowls to prevent rubbing. Keep delicate gold decoration from touching neighbouring pieces.
A clean, dry fitted box can protect a piece from knocks. Keep the wrapping dry too, and store the box somewhere stable and secure. For displayed pieces, consider the particular decoration and any repairs when choosing the light exposure and cleaning method.
Common questions
How can I tell whether decoration is underglaze or overglaze?
Check the maker’s description first. Colour beneath a clear glaze or a raised painted surface can offer clues, but smooth overglaze finishes and mixed techniques are easy to misread. Never use a fingernail or scratch test.
Does a thin gold rim count as metal decoration?
Yes. Even a fine metallic line can arc in a microwave. Unless the maker expressly permits microwave use for that piece, use another vessel.
Can I care for lacquerware in the same way?
Lacquer has different surface and care requirements. See our urushi lacquerware care guide before washing, heating or storing lacquered objects.
