"Curry Enthusiast" Yūhi Komiyama and Hanako Tsuredure supervised this Hasami-ware "Curry Plate"

zen to

zen to: Passing on the Charm of Ceramics to the Next Generation

Hasami ware ceramics, musician Yūhi Komiyama, and food editor Turezure Hanako have collaborated to release their respective interpretations of the "curry plate." The resulting products showcase meticulous attention to detail from both collaborators, alongside the delicate craftsmanship of Hasami ware.

Text by WASEDA Kosaku (OPENERS)

A Plate Born from Individual Passions and a Love for Curry

Hasami Town in Nagasaki Prefecture is one of Japan's leading ceramic production areas. Since the Edo period, it has mass-produced tableware for the common people. Nakazeni, founded in 1917, has operated its pottery business rooted in this region, continuing the techniques and spirit of Hasami ware in its craftsmanship.

In 2017, marking its 100th anniversary, the company launched "zen to" (pronounced Zento), an original brand established to convey the pottery techniques and potential of the Hizen region (an area including Hasami and Arita) to the next generation.

The brand director appointed is Kaoru Kitakata Abe, known as a leading Japanese ceramic designer who has helmed numerous brands.

With the concept of "Diverse tastes catered to by varied personalities," the brand offers a rich selection of ceramic options for today's discerning consumers with increasingly specialized needs.

In its inaugural year, the brand will sequentially release "curry plates" in collaboration with 15 creators.

The initial release features collaborations with musician Yūhi Komiyama and food editor Turezure Hanako.

Curry plate "zen to Y・K" supervised by Yūhi Komiyama

The "zen to Y・K" plate, supervised by Komiyama, aims to be the "ultimate curry plate."

Regarding this, Komiyama commented, "I designed this plate to make homemade curry rice feel like a supreme feast, making both plating and eating enjoyable. Curry's appeal lies in its versatility, whether made easily with roux or from scratch with spices, but if you've gone to the effort of making your own curry, you'll want to serve it beautifully. I hope this plate will be used for those occasions."

Curry plate "zen to turehana_b" supervised by Turezure Hanako

Turezure Hanako's contribution is the "zen to turehana_b" plate, characterized by its delicate yet striking pattern.

Turezure Hanako shared, "During my travels in India, I encountered 'Blue Pottery,' a traditional craft from Jaipur. I was captivated by its beautiful colors, especially the blues, and the slightly irregular, hand-drawn lines and coloring. I bought several large plates. Despite their bold patterns, they surprisingly complement whatever is served, making the dishes look very vibrant. They are particularly perfect for serving multiple types of curry. For this collaboration, I asked for that essence to be recreated in Hasami ware porcelain. The design features turmeric flowers, curry leaves, and bay leaves, with sage flowers adorning the rim. These are motifs inspired by ingredients used in Ayurvedic medicine and curries I encountered in Sri Lanka. It's a plate that's delightful just to look at, and I believe it's finished beautifully for serving not only curry but also fruits and other items."

The resulting products are filled with the unique dedication and love for curry from each collaborator. Using these plates might reveal a new dimension to the charm of curry.

Curry plate "zen to Y・K" supervised by Yūhi Komiyama
Material: Porcelain
Size: W275×D275×H50mm
Price: ¥2,800 (excl. tax)

Yūhi Komiyama
Born in Harajuku, Tokyo. Debuted in 1996 as the vocalist and keyboardist of Hoff Dylan. Expanding his activities beyond music, he is currently one of the most active musicians with numerous regular appearances and serializations, wielding significant influence over his peers in culture and trends. Also known as a gourmand, he has written many columns and appeared on numerous TV and radio programs, earning the nickname "Gourmet Boss of the Music World." He has published three books of his original curry recipes. In 2015, he was appointed tourism ambassador for Shibuya Ward, where he was born and raised. In 2018, he opened "Lemon Rice TOKYO," Japan's first specialty store for lemon rice. A multi-creator demonstrating diverse talents across various fields.

Curry plate "zen to turehana_b" supervised by Turezure Hanako
Material: Porcelain
Size: W265×D265×H35mm
Price: ¥3,600 (excl. tax)

Turezure Hanako
A food editor who loves food, sake, and travel. Her books include "A Meal for a Woman Dining Alone at Night" (Gentosha), "Turezure Hanako's Bento for One" (Shogakukan), "Turezure Hanako's Herb-Centric Appetizer Collection" (PHP Institute), "A Foodie's Kitchen" (Kawade Bunko), and "Tsurehana-tei's Home Drinking Meals" (Ei Publishing), among others. Her latest book is "Let's Go Drinking in the Southern Islands with Turezure Hanako!" (Kobunsha).
Instagram @turehana1

Nakazeni
Tel. 0956-85-3033

Inquiries

zen to
https://hi-zento.jp/