Harekutani: Tableware for Life’s Bright Occasions

Harekutani is a Kutani ware brand born in 2017. Blending wa-enogu, traditional Japanese pigments that give Kutani ware its vivid finish, and transfer techniques with contemporary designs and forms, it has quickly gained popularity as a new style of Kutani ware unlike anything before.

We spoke with Kitano Hiroki of Kitano Tojudo, the company behind the Harekutani brand.

Harekutani was created to celebrate a loved one’s important moments, to cheer someone on, or to express gratitude. And above all, it is made so that those who hold a Harekutani piece feel bright and uplifted, their hearts lightened with joy.

Kutani ware has long been valued for gifting. With its exquisite overglaze painting and refined, high-end image, it’s no wonder it has been seen as something special to give. “Traditional overglaze designs and the luxurious look of Kutani ware are stylish, and I like them myself. But at the same time, I thought, why not have a more casual kind of Kutani ware, too?” recalls Kitano.

Lifestyles have certainly changed with the times. Today, Western tableware sits on the table alongside Japanese pieces as a matter of course.

Gifting occasions range from weddings to small thank-yous, or even a reward for yourself. The recipient and situation vary widely, and sometimes something casual is the most fitting choice.

Kitano started this brand hoping people would want to gift it, feel happy to receive it, and enjoy using it.

Take Harekutani’s popular cat-shaped plate and fish-shaped plate. Their overglaze designs follow the shape of the dish.

Cat-shaped plates painted like cats.

Fish-shaped plates painted like fish.

These two are actually the same shape. Rotate the cat-shaped plate 90 degrees and decorate it with a fish, and it becomes the fish-shaped plate. Cute and unique, it cannot help but bring a smile to your face.

“Kutani ware has always focused on overglaze painting. Because of that, compared to other pottery traditions, there’s been less variety in form. That’s why with Harekutani we decided to highlight something rarely emphasized in Kutani ware—the shape of the vessel itself,” says Kitano.

Small plates shaped like apples and pears.

A piece shaped with overlapping flower petals, adorned with a bold flower blossom.

On the left, renge ramen spoons shaped like a whale; on the right, spoons shaped like fish.

By combining distinctive forms, which Kutani ware had rarely focused on, with casual designs seldom seen before, Harekutani emerged as a playful style of Kutani ware.

“I set out to create casual Kutani ware, but with Harekutani I also wanted to preserve what defines it—the richness and luxury of its overglaze decoration,” says Kitano.

The key, Kitano explains, is wa-enogu. Most Kutani overglaze decorations use wa-enogu pigments, which give Kutani ware its characteristic richness and elegant feel. Harekutani’s designs are also painted with wa-enogu. When fired, the pigments transform into a glassy surface and develop a gentle thickness, adding to the richness of the piece.

The glass-like transparency is delicate and beautiful.

Kutani ware has a traditional palette of five hues known as Kutani gosai: green, yellow, purple, navy blue, and red. In addition to these five, Harekutani also uses original intermediate shades blended in-house.

Single Bloom Oval Side Plate inspired by the traditional Kutani gosai.

“The colors of Kutani ware are actually very diverse. I hope people can enjoy that side of it through Harekutani as well,” comments Kitano.

Harekutani debuted at an exhibition in the autumn of 2017. With shapes and designs never before seen in Kutani ware, it attracted a great deal of attention.

Items first released in 2017.

Major retailers and home goods stores reached out, and Harekutani pieces made their way onto store shelves. However, sales were slow to take off. The designs were innovative and charming, but Kitano noted that the gap with the traditional image of Kutani ware—and the uncertainty of how to use the pieces at the table—wasn’t getting across to consumers. That was when he decided to focus on communication and sharing the brand’s story.

Harekutani first worked with a food stylist to show how pieces could be used, styling meals and sweets on plates. These photos were displayed in stores, showcasing that Harekutani pieces are fun to use and cute when serving food.

They also launched a website and opened an Instagram account. “We even held an event where we gave Harekutani pieces to selected Instagrammers and asked them to post photos of the dishes they served on them,” says Kitano.

The impact of this active outreach was significant, leading to more inquiries from shops and more individual purchases through their website.

Since its debut in 2017, Harekutani has released new designs every year. In 2018, the lineup grew to include Playful Blue teacups, the Flower and Bird series, and Spring Flower plates.

In 2019, the lineup expanded with the Flying Friends Mugs, toothbrush stands, and plates from the Spring Garland series.

In 2020, the lineup grew to include the Daruma plates, the Blooming Flower plates, and chopsticks sets with rests.

In 2021, the lineup added single flower vases, the Tiny Blossom plates, and the Geometric Patchwork items.

And in 2022, Harekutani introduced bowls designed in collaboration with graphic designers from Finland and the United States.

Harekutani’s playful pieces bring Kutani’s vivid traditional Japanese pigments to life.

The Color Story Cup and Saucer sets were launched in 2023.

Why release new items every year? “It wouldn’t be very interesting if the lineup never changed. More than anything, I want people to feel excited by new pieces,” says Kitano. That desire is what drives him to create something different every year.

The 2024 release featured various plates with a snow crystal motif.

“A snow crystal is hexagonal. In nature, the hexagon is considered the most stable shape, and it is also said to carry the meaning of love and happiness. To honor Harekutani’s original mission of focusing on form, we created a completely original mold from scratch, shaped like a snow crystal. Every detail was carefully crafted to capture its refined beauty,” explains Kitano.

Simple in form, yet its subtle details make it distinctive and delightful.

Harekutani pieces come boxed in beautiful packaging.

The wrapping paper also features an original Harekutani design.

Harekutani was created as tableware for special-occasion gifting. But beyond gifts, many people also buy it for themselves and their families.

Tableware used every day. Designs that subtly catch your eye. Even when you’re feeling a bit down, the calm expression of a cat-themed plate can bring comfort.

Eating rice from a colorful vegetable-patterned bowl can brighten your mood.

Even cherries can look a little cuter.

The charm of Harekutani pieces is how they gently add color to everyday life, like the warm glow of sunlight.

“I hope to see Harekutani tableware on dining tables not only in Japan but all over the world,” Kitano expressed. With exciting designs and innovative forms, Harekutani will continue to delight people around the world.