Tin Mamezara
錫 豆皿
These tin mamezara (small plates for placing condiments, small dishes or pickles) are inspired by historical patterns and skilfully crafted in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture.
These tin mamezara (small plates for placing condiments, small dishes or pickles) are crafted by Sumitani Saburō Shōten, a manufacturer of metal crafts established in 1939 in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. This area is celebrated for its metal casting industry, rooted in bronze craftsmanship that began over 400 years ago.
There are three variations of the mamezara inspired by historical patterns: nejiriume (a depiction of ume, plum blossom with petals overlapping and twisting towards the centre), yukiwa (a delicate motif based on snowflake crystals) and ryōka (a floral design with evenly spaced pointed tips along the edge of the circumference, creating petal-like shapes reminiscent of a blooming flower.)
Chūbu
The central Chūbu region is predominantly mountainous, home to the rugged Japan Alps with coasts on both the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean. The region's history has been shaped by its strategic position between the great cities of Kyoto and Tokyo with Nagoya at its heart. Niigata lies to the north while Mt Fuji can be found in the south in Shizuoka Prefecture.
