One of the things we often hear from customers after their first purchase is a version of the same question: how do I look after this properly? It is a good question, and it deserves a better answer than "hand wash only" — which is true for some pieces but not all, and tells you nothing about why.
This guide covers the care of the two main material types in our tableware collection: ceramics and lacquerware. Each has its own logic, and understanding that logic makes the care feel natural rather than like a set of rules to remember. These are objects made to last a lifetime — in some cases, several lifetimes. A little knowledge goes a long way.
Ceramics: the basics
Japanese ceramics span a wide spectrum — from the smooth, dense porcelain of Arita to the rough, porous earthenware of Shigaraki. Their care needs differ depending on where on that spectrum a piece sits, but a few principles apply across the board.
Wash gently and promptly. Warm water and a soft sponge or cloth is all most ceramic pieces need. Avoid abrasive scourers, which can scratch glazed surfaces and damage the clay body on unglazed pieces. Washing promptly after use — rather than leaving food to dry on the surface — makes cleaning easier and reduces the risk of staining, particularly on lighter glazes.
Dry thoroughly before storing. Ceramics that are stored damp, especially stacked pieces, can develop musty odours or, in the case of unglazed or lightly glazed pieces, encourage mould in the microscopic pores of the clay. After washing, leave pieces to air dry fully before putting them away.
Stack carefully. Stacking is fine for most ceramic bowls and plates, but place a soft cloth or piece of felt between pieces if you are stacking anything with a rough unglazed foot ring — the kind found on many Bizen, Shigaraki, and Mashiko pieces. An unprotected foot ring can scratch the glaze of the piece below it.
The sealing process: first use for porous ceramics
This is the step most people do not know about, and it makes a meaningful difference for certain types of ceramic.
Unglazed and lightly glazed ceramics — particularly those from traditions like, Iga, Shigaraki, Mashiko, Banko and Mino — have a porous clay body that can absorb liquids, oils, and food pigments directly into the surface. This is part of what gives these pieces their living, changing character over time: they absorb traces of what passes through them, and those traces become part of the object's story. But it also means that without a little preparation before first use, the first meal served can leave a permanent stain.
The traditional Japanese solution is called me-dome (目止め) — literally "eye-stopping," referring to the closing of the clay's pores. The process is simple:
- Place the ceramic piece in a pot and cover with water. Add a handful of uncooked rice, or a tablespoon of plain flour — any of these will work as a sealing agent.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over low heat and hold for around 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and allow the piece to cool completely in the liquid — do not remove it early.
- Remove, wash gently with mild detergent, and allow to dry completely before first use.
This process fills the microscopic pores in the clay with starch, creating a temporary barrier that significantly reduces absorption. It does not need to be repeated unless the piece has been unused for a very long period.
Many of our Mino ware pieces, as well as pieces from Iga and Shigaraki, benefit from this process before first use. If you are unsure whether a piece in our collection needs it, the product description will say so — and you are always welcome to contact us.
Microwave and dishwasher: what is actually safe
This is where the most confusion tends to arise, because the answer varies by piece and cannot be generalised across all Japanese ceramics.
Microwave: Most ceramic and porcelain pieces without metallic decoration are microwave safe. The exception is anything with gold, silver, or platinum lustre — the metallic particles can spark in a microwave. If a piece has decorative metalwork of any kind, assume it is not microwave safe unless the product description states otherwise.
Dishwasher: The honest answer is that hand washing is always the gentler option for handcrafted ceramics. That said, many of our pieces — particularly Hasami porcelain and Mino ware, and even some of the lacquer ware — are dishwasher safe for everyday use. The risk with dishwashers is not the water but the combination of high heat, harsh detergents, and mechanical vibration over time, which can gradually dull glazes and weaken the piece. For pieces you love and want to last, hand washing takes thirty seconds and extends the life of the object considerably.
Pieces to always hand wash include anything with a reactive or heavily textured glaze, and unglazed earthenware. The product descriptions for each piece in our ceramics collection specify what is and is not dishwasher safe — always check before putting a new piece through the machine for the first time.
Staining and how to address it
Even with care, some pieces will develop staining over time — particularly lighter-glazed porcelains used for deeply pigmented foods like curries, berries, or strong tea. This is worth knowing about before it happens rather than after.
For light staining on glazed surfaces, a paste of bicarbonate of soda and water left on the affected area for a few hours, then rinsed off, often lifts the stain effectively. Do not use bleach on ceramic pieces — it can damage glaze and, for porous pieces, penetrate and discolour the clay body permanently.
For porous ceramics where staining has occurred despite the sealing process, the honest answer is that some absorption is part of the object's character. The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi — finding beauty in imperfection and the marks of time — applies here. A Bizen bowl that has absorbed a decade of daily meals is not a damaged object. It is a document of use, and that is precisely what these pieces are made for.
Lacquerware: a different set of rules
Lacquerware requires more attention than ceramics, but not more effort — just different habits. The key is understanding what urushi lacquer is and what it dislikes.
Traditional urushi lacquer — derived from the sap of the Japanese lacquer tree — is one of the most durable natural surface coatings ever developed. It is hard, water-resistant, and naturally antibacterial. It is also sensitive to three things: prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, extreme heat, and strong detergents. Keeping these three things in mind covers most of what you need to know.
Always hand wash. Traditional urushi lacquerware — such as our Dual Lacquer Urushi Soup Bowl — should never go in the dishwasher. The combination of heat, water pressure, and dishwasher detergent will damage the lacquer surface over time, causing it to crack, cloud, or peel. Wash with lukewarm water and a soft cloth, rinse, and dry immediately — do not leave lacquerware to soak or air dry.
Keep away from direct heat and sunlight. Do not use lacquerware in a microwave, oven, or on direct flame. Do not leave pieces in direct sunlight for extended periods — UV exposure degrades urushi lacquer and can cause fading and surface cracking. Store lacquerware in a cupboard or drawer rather than on open shelving in a sunny room.
Avoid the refrigerator. Traditional lacquerware should not be stored in the refrigerator — the cold, dry environment causes the wood base to contract and can lead to cracking of both the base and the lacquer surface.
Modern lacquerware exceptions. Not all lacquerware in our collection requires the same level of care. The Echizen Hard Lacquer Asakura Bowl, and Hard Lacquer Vessel made by Shitsurindō using a specially developed hard lacquer finish created in collaboration with Fukui University, is dishwasher safe — a genuine innovation that brings the beauty of lacquerware into modern everyday use without the usual restrictions. Always check the individual product description, as care requirements vary across our lacquerware range.
Storing your pieces well
A few simple habits make a significant difference over years of use.
Avoid storing ceramic pieces in sealed plastic containers or wrapping them in plastic for long periods — ceramics need to breathe, and sealed environments can cause moisture to accumulate and affect the clay body. Use cloth or paper if you need to wrap pieces for storage or moving.
For lacquerware, occasional light polishing with a soft, dry cloth keeps the surface in good condition and maintains the characteristic lustre. If a piece develops a dull patch from dryness, a tiny amount of camellia oil on a soft cloth, gently applied and buffed off, can restore the surface.
A note on ageing
The care instructions above are about protecting your pieces. But it is worth ending with a reminder that these objects are also meant to change.
A well-used ceramic develops a patina — the glaze deepens, the foot ring wears, tiny traces of use accumulate in the surface. A lacquer bowl held daily becomes slightly more lustrous at the points where hands have touched it most. These changes are not wear. They are the object becoming more individual, more yours, more itself.
The Japanese have a word for this kind of beauty: tsukai-komi (使い込み) — the beauty that comes from being thoroughly used with care. It is the opposite of museum-piece preservation. Care for your pieces well, and then use them freely. They will reward you for it.
Questions about caring for a specific piece in our collection? We are always happy to help — contact us here. Browse our full range of Japanese ceramics and lacquerware at Karintō Edition.
