May 31, 2023

Cool Summer Dining with Tableware from Kyoto

Written by Team MUSUBI

Imagine sitting on a bamboo patio and feeling a cool breeze softly blowing across a table beautifully decorated with exquisite tableware. You are invited to a delicious Japanese meal, while hearing the peaceful sounds of the nearby river.

This is the experience you can enjoy at "Kawadoko" restaurants in Kyoto.

Today, we created a tabletop design that will allow you to feel the stylish and authentic atmosphere of a Kyoto summer at home. See how stunning Kiyomizu ware items from Kyoto can dress up your table and bring a taste of the culture from the ancient capital of Japan.

Summer Fine-Dining of Kyoto The Beauty of Kiyomizu Ware Summer Delicacies Featured Items

Summer Fine-Dining of Kyoto

Kawadoko traces its roots back to the Edo period, when the people of Kyoto would gather at riverside restaurants featuring elevated bamboo patios, where visitors would enjoy the cool ambiance created by the flowing waters beneath. It was a way to spend a serene moment during the hot Kyoto summers.

As an homage to this cultural dining tradition, we set the scene using Kiyomizu ware, bamboo and glass items to bring an elegant summer feel to our small Japanese-style low table on a tatami.

In the center, we set a bamboo basket with Hirota Taisho Roman Edo Glass cups inside to serve refreshing appetizers. The airy design of the woven bamboo gives a lightness to the dark color of the table.

Rectangular plates are wonderful items to use for small-sized tables and by placing them in a symmetrical fashion, you can give an organized impression to your tabletop.

The Hirota Arare Pattern Edo Glass plate is an item that captures the essence of summer. It features a touch of elegance, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the table by subtly adding unified patterns with its Edo glass surface.

The Beauty of Kiyomizu Ware

The center of attention will be on the wonderfully artistic Kiyomizu ware items from Tosen Kiln.

This rectangular plate is painted in their iconic motif of "Choju-giga" which are caricature pictures depicting anthropomorphic animals and their playfulness, dating from the 12th to 13th centuries. The playful yet realistic depiction of animals adds to the enjoyment of using these beautiful plates. The cream white color of Kiyomizu ware is gentle and calming

Their Katakuchi sake carafe and sake cups present the deities of "Fujin and Raijin" (Wind God and Thunder God). The sake carafe and the matching sake cups are works of art with their detailed paintings. They are placed on the Gingko Leaf Echizen Lacquerware Tray for added elegance.

Summer Delicacies

We served some authentic summer delicacies on our summer tableware items.

One of the most famous menus that herald the arrival of summer in Kyoto is "Hamo" known as pike conger in English. It is boiled and served with a refreshing "umeboshi" sauce. This dish has been enjoyed since the Edo period and is known as a nutritious ingredient that will help one overcome summer fatigue.

Another early summer delight in Kyoto is "goma-dofu," sesame tofu. A smooth sesame paste is made into a tofu-like consistency by adding arrowroot starch and continuously mixing it under low heat for over 15 minutes. It is often served as a starter for Shojin ryori, traditional Japanese vegan cooking.

A summer fine-dining experience in a Kawadoko theme is a captivating journey that mixes nature, tradition, and gastronomy. Every aspect displays Kyoto's deep appreciation of beauty and impeccable craftsmanship.
Enjoy the taste of a Kyoto summer with Kiyomizu ware with this handsome table setting.

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Featured Items

Tosen Kiln

Tosen Kiln introduces the timeless techniques of Kiyomizu ware through their delicate hand painting and modeling styles. The intricate paintings on their stoneware breathe warmth and beauty and tell stories of the diligence needed to create them.

View Tosen Kiln Collection