In modern production, the traditional sand-casting technique is still used. Each piece is finished by a laborious method of burnishing the surface with steel fragments and steel “sand”. The interiors of the teapots are coated with a fired-on enamel to reduce rusting. The exterior color finishes are sprayed on and then wiped by hand to bring out the texture of the surface. Each teapot comes with a stainless steel mesh infuser.

The teapots are meant for brewing and serving tea, and are not recommended for stovetop use.

Cherry bark work is a revered craft in Japan that has a history of at least 1,000 years. In old times, it was used on writing brush handles, bows and sheaths. About 200 years ago, it was developed as a sidework for the Samurai class.

Thin veneers of bark are pealed from the cherry tree and then applied by adept craftsmen to the surfaces of various objects—boxes, trays, chests, etc. Sometimes it is left rough (chirashi finish), but often it is sanded and polished to bring out the color and pattern that is so distinctive to the material. Since the bark grows back, it can harvested year after year from the same cherry trees.

Sugahara has been producing glassware in Japan since 1932.  Over four thousand different products are manufactured by handmade production at their Sugahara Glassworks factory in Chiba Prefecture.  The quality of the glassware is of the highest standard, with original designs created by the resident glassmaking technicians as well as by invited artists.  The Sugaharas are celebrated for creating functional and aesthetically creative designs for the home, especially the table.

An alloy composed primarily of zinc is used to produce metalware similar to bronzeware—but lighter in weight and easier to cast. The soft metal brings out great detail from the original mold and requires less of the grinding and finishing work needed for bronze. The surface color is applied and rubbed in by hand by trained craftsmen who have perfected their skills over many years. Each vase is lined inside by a tarlike substance that renders them watertight and completely functional. All of our zinc vases are made in Japan.