Mino ware has 1300 years of history. Artisans in Gifu prefecture are a direct lineage of that tradition, making potteries over generations as family businesses. However, they are in crisis. It’s challenging for small businesses to compete against the prices in a market dominated by mass-produced, poor-quality commodities (because those products have short-life spans, it creates more waste for the environment). In addition, many young people don’t inherit the company. Instead, they move to the cities because the media outlets constantly indoctrinate that living in the city is better. Moreover, because of a higher salary, the workforce gets absorbed by big corporations such as Amazon, which ironically is a platform that sells mass-produced products.

The owner of Crane&Turtle is passionate about preserving the culture and tradition, and she designed these plates in hopes of adding new values and reviving them in modern society.

Handmade in Gifu Prefecture, Japan.
Designed by Mieko Murao.

Large: 27 cm - $78
Medium: 19 cm - $46
Small: 10 cm - $28