The Marvels of Japanese Mamezara Miniature Plates

Entering the marvelous miniature realm of tiny Japanese plates, known as mamezara or kozara, may seem overwhelming. The variety of styles, shapes, and designs vying for your attention is astounding. Yet, they are the perfect gateway into starting your collection of Japanese ceramics. They do not take up too much space and do not require a hefty financial investment. But purchasing a few may be a great hands-on approach to get a sense of common motifs, ceramic types, and kiln styles, and can consequently lead you to a better understanding of your own aesthetic preferences when it comes to Japanese tableware.

Besides placing them at the dinner table, you can use them to display small items such as jewelry or just enjoy them as small pieces of art. What’s more, they can be an interesting alternative to other tried and true souvenirs such as chopsticks and chopstick rests.

Here are eight creative collections of miniature Japanese plates to inspire the curator in you.

With five adorable kittens all taking a nap in the center of each tiny sauce plate, it is difficult to choose just one, so it is fortunate that they come as a set of five. The dense and dainty blue foliage designs and the dark brown delicately scalloped rim give these dishes a cozy vibe, as though they were meant for a tea party or a quiet cafe.

One of the most famous and highly-regarded Japanese pottery types, Kutani ware is produced in the Kaga region of Ishikawa Prefecture and has a history of over 350 years. It is characterized by the beauty of its signature vivid colors and the variety of its styles.

Placing a small snack or sweet treat in the middle will give you the sneaky pleasure of surprising your guests with the picture of a precious kitten after they have finished eating. These are especially perfect for cat lovers, whether as a gift or for personal use.

This set of three Arita ware plates in traditional auspicious shapes will pique the interest of your guests with a subtlety of design that can only be found in Japanese tableware. Elegantly rendered in almost translucent-like bluish hued celadon, they stand out with their three-footed base, mild curves, and lucky connotations.

The pine tree is a powerful emblem of good fortune, symbolizing longevity, vitality, and resilience. The gourd’s curvy shape has been considered auspicious since ancient times and is said to ward off evil and misfortune. And the folding fan signifies prosperity and development due to its shape which spreads out.

If you are tired of circle or square plates, these tiny sauce plates can add interest and dimension to your table setting. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, they are incredibly versatile. Use them for small side dishes, for soy sauce or other condiments, or for bite-sized desserts.

Each dish in this sauce plate set is a tiny meadow of flowers, delicately outlined in gold, and set against a different vibrantly colored background. Flowers such as spring peonies and autumn chrysanthemums bloom together to create an atmosphere not limited to any specific season which can be enjoyed every day of the year.

The intricate floral motif is crafted using the hanazume technique, a decorative painting method of Kutani ware. Meaning "filled with flowers," hanazume features a multi-seasonal array of traditional Japanese flowers, densely covering the surface in vibrant colors and accented with gold outlines.

Equally elegant and playful, this set is perfect for celebrating special occasions, but can also add some color to your everyday meals. When hosting guests, these plates create a harmonious, yet individual touch to your table setting. And if dining solo you can enjoy a different color every day, from soft pink to sunny yellow.

They may easily be confused for miniature paintings in gorgeous frames, but these are in fact sauce plates. With their traditional flair they are ideal for anyone who truly appreciates the depth of Japanese culture, as the long history of Kutani ware and the unique brilliance of its signature colors are palpable in these tiny works of art.

The set of five plates allows you the pleasure to explore different styles of Kutani ware, such as Mokubei, ko-Kutani, and Yoshidaya. The tiny pictures in the center range from luscious peonies and moody camellias, to red phoenixes and adorable karakoーa motif of Chinese children at play. The different geometric and floral frames complement the central motif and add to the fullness of the overall design.

In addition to using them for sauces and other condiments, they are perfect for serving traditional Japanese side dishes, such as tofu and tsukemono, or pickled vegetables. They can also be an exciting new way to present Western snacks such as cheese or nuts.

How enchanting it is to be able to hold the color of each season captured in glass. The center of each of these four ethereally translucent glass plates is speckled with a different palette of colors representing the four seasons. A midnight blue sky in winter transitions to the yellow blooms of spring. And after the green verdure of summer we are blessed with the red autumn foliage.

Made by one of the oldest glass makers in Tokyo, founded in 1899, they are a marvelous way to enjoy the traditional techniques of Japanese glassmaking inherited by Hirota Glass.

These plates afford an innovative way to play with transparency, reflections, and color, for an artistic table setting. Cold side dishes match the energy of cool glass, while see-through kanten jelly desserts are a great way to appreciate the see-through nature of both the sweets and serve ware. For lovers of Japanese sake they can also be used as saucers in combination with the ochoko sake cups from the same series.

Mount Fuji has been a prominent symbol of Japan for centuries, so why not enjoy it in a tender palette of dreamy pastels. The set is a graceful modern take on classic Japanese imagery.

Each variation of the iconic snow-capped peak is completed with a traditional Japanese motif. A pale pink mountain is paired with pretty cherry blossoms, while a powdery gray one with bamboo leaves. A pine tree is set against a faint yellow Fuji and the subdued blue Fuji is the backdrop for the flight of two elegant cranes. And finally, a delicate grassy green Mt Fuji contrasts with a vivid red sun.

These tiny dishes are incredibly versatile, as they look equally well when used to serve both sweet treats and savory side dishes. They are ideal for daytime meals and look cheerful even on a cloudy day. Since the set comes in a beautifully decorated paulownia box, it is a great choice for a thoughtful gift.

This could potentially be our healthiest set of tiny plates, as it features a nutritious set of five Japanese summer vegetables. Manganji pepper, Kamo eggplant, Shogoin radish, Kujo green onion, and Shikagaya pumpkin form a five-piece reminiscent of rustic rural charm and home cooked meals.

Rendered in a contrasting blue and white sometsuke, these Kiyomizu ware side plates are created with a type of masking technique that uses a water-resistant substance to leave white areas untouched by the dark cobalt blue glaze called gosu, which is hand-painted over the surface.

Deep indigo and warm design combine into a set of plates that beg to be used and cherished every day. Whether you choose to serve small colorful vegetable side dishes on them or bite-sized snacks such as rice crackers, it is certain that they will enhance the enjoyment of every bite.

The sheer variety of designs on these playful Kutani ware mini sauce plates, is so exhilaratingly fun, that you may be compelled to collect as many as all fourteen of them.

Have your pick between a dainty flower garland and a vivid yellow and blue karakusaーa Japanese arabesque pattern. Or else you can choose between a tiger in a bamboo grove and a green bush warbler on top of an apricot tree. Or you may be more interested in the modern and childlike geometric designs, such as zigzags or dots.

Each design is sold separately, which gives you full freedom to mix and match. And can also give your guests or family members the experience of choosing the design they like. In addition to serving sauces and condiments, you can also use them for small toppings, spices, or garnishes. Some examples are grated daikon radish, beans, and hijiki seaweed salad.

Hopefully this small guide to several of the sets of small plates available on MUSUBI KILN has left you with a big impression of the world that each tiny Japanese plate may offer.