Experience the Retail Revolution: Temporary Mino-Ware Store Pop-Up
Mino, a region in Gifu Prefecture, Japan, is renowned for its rich ceramics tradition that dates back over a thousand years. Known for producing the majority of ramen bowls in use in Japan, Mino's pottery, known as Mino ware (Mino-yaki), is celebrated for its exceptional variety, volume, and cultural significance.
In a unique collaboration, Los Angeles is hosting a pop-up shop featuring a curated selection of stylish ceramic donburi bowls from Mino. This event, in partnership with TOIRO, a Japanese kitchen and tableware store based in Los Angeles, showcases the beauty and craftsmanship of Mino-yaki.
The Art of Mino-yaki Donburi Bowls
The pop-up shop offers a variety of donburi bowls, each with its unique design and character. One such bowl is the Akadami-Karakusa Donburi Bowl, priced at $59, which features a traditional hand-painted arabesque design and is suitable for rice dishes or as a serving dish. However, it's essential to note that this bowl, along with the Akadami-Karakusa Donburi Bowl (Shallow Wide), priced at $93, are not microwave-safe, not dishwasher safe, and should be hand washed and dried completely before storing.
Another standout piece is the Oribe Sogi Donburi Bowl, priced at $60, which boasts a diagonal sliced design into the exterior and a natural and matte glaze on the interior. The Oribe-Kakiwake Nagomi Donburi Bowl, priced at $53, features a signature green glaze contrasted against a more matte and natural finish. For those preferring the black glaze, the Oribe-Kakiwake Nagomi Donburi Bowl (Black), priced at $53, is also available.
The Art of the Ramen Bowl: An Exhibition
The pop-up shop is part of the larger exhibition, "The Art of the Ramen Bowl," which tells the story of ramen's evolution from simple meal to global icon and spotlights the importance of the bowls themselves in elevating noodles to an art form. Ten types of Mino-ware are on display, illustrating the diverse styles, shapes, and techniques of Mino-ware.
The exhibition is accompanied by "Ramen Discoveries," a program that delves deeper into the world of ramen, offering tastings, workshops, and discussions.
The Legacy of Mino-yaki
Mino's history and significance stem from its long-standing ceramic tradition, large-scale production capacity, and cultural symbolism embedded in its ramen bowls. The region's ceramics combine historical depth with modern design sensibility, earning it designation as a traditional craft in 1978. Mino's large-scale, high-quality production has positioned it as central to Japan’s ceramic industry, deeply entwining its historical legacy with contemporary culinary culture, especially the popularity of ramen.
One of the pottery producers showcased in the pop-up shop is Yamasan-Miyake, a Mino-yaki pottery producer that specializes in donburi bowls, with a history of over 20 years. Fudoh-Gama, a small family-owned studio in Toki, Gifu Prefecture, also contributes to the pop-up shop with its Oribe Ware pieces. Both studios employ a small-lot process, ensuring attention to each individual piece and resulting in lasting durability and vivid color.
However, it's important to remember that these hand-crafted bowls are not designed for everyday use. Freezing and/or placing them where they will experience sharp temperature change could cause cracking. Food should not be stored in the bowls as the porous clay could absorb the moisture and smell of the contents over time.
This pop-up shop offers a unique opportunity to explore the beauty and craftsmanship of Mino-yaki donburi bowls. Whether you're a ramen enthusiast or simply appreciate the art of ceramics, this event is not to be missed.
- The pop-up shop in Los Angeles features stylish ceramic donburi bowls from Mino, Japan, showcasing the beauty and craftsmanship of Mino-yaki.
- One of the available bowls is the Akadami-Karakusa Donburi Bowl, a traditional hand-painted piece suitable for rice dishes or serving dishes, but not microwave-safe or dishwasher safe.
- The Oribe Sogi Donburi Bowl, priced at $60, features a distinctive sliced design and natural, matte glaze inside, while the Oribe-Kakiwake Nagomi Donburi Bowl, priced at $53, features a green glaze contrasted against a more matte finish.
- The pop-up shop is part of the larger exhibition, "The Art of the Ramen Bowl," which celebrates the evolution of ramen and the importance of bowls in elevating noodles to an art form.
- The exhibition features ten types of Mino-ware, highlighting the diverse styles, shapes, and techniques of Mino-yaki, which was designated a traditional craft in 1978 for its historical depth and modern design sensibility.
- Ramen Discoveries, a program accompanying the exhibition, offers tastings, workshops, and discussions delving deeper into the world of ramen.
- In addition to enhancing the contemporary culinary culture, especially ramen, through its large-scale production, Mino's ceramics also carry a rich historical legacy, symbolizing the region's long-standing tradition in the ceramic industry.
