Caring for Japanese Glassware and Ceramics

Fine Japanese glassware and ceramics reward a little attention. Tsugaru vidro pieces — the hand-blown glass made in the Aomori region, often characterised by layered, jewel-like colours — are crafted by hand, which means no two are identical and each carries slight variations in wall thickness. That individuality is part of their appeal, but it also means they should be treated with a degree of care that mass-produced glass does not require.

For Tsugaru vidro and other hand-blown or hand-engraved glass, hand-washing is strongly recommended. Dishwashers subject glassware to rapid temperature changes and abrasive detergent cycles that can dull engraved surfaces and stress the glass over time. Use warm water, a small amount of mild washing-up liquid, and a soft cloth or sponge. Dry gently with a lint-free cloth rather than leaving pieces to air-dry, which can leave water marks on the decorative surface.

Mino ware ceramics — produced in Gifu Prefecture and encompassing a wide range of styles from simple everyday pieces to highly refined tableware — are generally more robust, but they still benefit from thoughtful handling. Avoid stacking pieces directly on top of one another without a soft cloth or felt pad between them, as the unglazed foot of one piece can scratch the glaze of another. For pieces with gold or platinum decoration, hand-washing is also advisable.

Storage matters as much as washing. Keep glassware upright rather than inverted where possible, and store ceramics in a dry environment away from sudden temperature changes. If you are putting seasonal pieces away for a period, wrap them individually in acid-free tissue or soft cloth. These habits take almost no extra time once they become routine, and they will ensure that the pieces you invest in today remain as beautiful in ten years as they are the day they arrive.