[Nested Vessels]

The expression “nesting” is often used to refer to the storage of differently-sized vessels of the same shape that are assembled in sequence. In a kitchen, where things tend to pile up, such a small space-saving strategy is often important. In addition to such functional aspects, I am also attracted by the comfort of the vessels that fit perfectly into each other and the beauty of the overlapping circles when the nested vessels are viewed from above.

As far back as the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Seto vessels called “ireko” were made. Ireko is a type of pottery unique to koseto among medieval kilns, and consists of several small thin plates of 2 to 10 cm in diameter, which when stacked together form a cedar shape (like a cedar tree, with the top pointed and the bottom spread out). It is believed that these vessels were not fired separately and stacked on top of each other but were fired in a cedar-shape, and many overlapping ireko have been excavated from kiln sites.

Koseto refers to glazed ceramics produced in Seto kilns during the 300 years from the end of the 12th century to the latter half of the 15th century, modeled after Chinese and Korean ceramics. Koseto is broadly divided into the Early Period centering on the Kamakura period, the Middle Period from the end of the Kamakura period to the Nanbokucho period, and the Late Period centering on the Muromachi period, with ireko being one of the representative vessels of the Early Koseto period. Although Koseto vessels are mainly glazed, the greatest characteristic of Ireko is that they are unglazed vessels.

At that time, there were two types of Seto kilns: one specialized in making unglazed ceramics such as “yama-jawan” and the other made glazed Koseto ceramics in combination with unglazed ceramics. Iriko is thought to have been produced mainly in the latter kiln, and it is highly likely that it was made by a glazed potter and fired in an unglazed potter's kiln along with the mountain tea bowls and other ceramics. It is interesting to note that they were produced through the collaboration of makers using different techniques.

Most of the remains where ireko were excavated are said to be in Kamakura, except the remains of kilns where they were produced. Then, how did people use ireko in those days? It is now thought that ireko was one of the tools used for cosmetics. From the records of ancient documents and other sources, it seems to have been used as a rouge dish on which rouge for cosmetic purposes was applied. It makes us wonder if people of that time also enjoyed fashion, thinking, “This is nice because it can be stored neatly and is easy to carry,” and feeling the beauty of the overlapping vessels, large and small, as they did so.

Several products can be nested together in our store, and Susumuya's Matcha Guinomi is one of them. The slightly bulky shape and the warmth of the colors and textures combine to make the smallest of the two nested vessels look very cute when it fits inside the larger one. We hope that you will try them when you see them in our showroom. The Susumuya's Matcha Sets, including these cups, are tea sets created to enjoy matcha daily. These tea utensils are perfect for those who want to casually enjoy their tea time regardless of the place or occasion, so please check them out.

Susumuya's Matcha Guinomi
https://www.shokunin.com/en/susumuya/matcha.html
Showroom Information
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/

References
Old Seto Ceramics: Ireko Reconsidered by Ryosuke Fujisawa
http://seto-guide.jp/setostory/setomono/koseto
https://sixancientkilns.jp/seto/
https://www.city.seto.aichi.jp/docs/2010/11/10/03084/index.html
https://saitama-rekimin.spec.ed.jp/ (Taken at the Saitama Museum of History and Folklore)