What the Vessels Have Taught Me

  • 有田焼の「染付蛸唐草山水桔梗渕7寸中鉢」にカレーが入った写真

I clicked the shutter on my smartphone.

Before me lies a delicious-looking curry.

Though it's an ordinary curry, it's served in a vessel with translucent white base

adorned with varied blue patterns, creating a beautiful contrast.

  • 有田焼の「染付牡丹菊型3寸小皿」にらっきょうが入った写真
  • 有田焼の「錦牡丹菊型3寸小皿」に福神漬けが入った写真

Taking photos of dishes I cooked myself. This was unthinkable behavior just a few days ago, and I felt a bit amused by it.

When I happened to see it online, I made what was almost an impulse purchase, and this Arita ceramics joined the collection in our cupboard.

Compared to our plain white dishes at home, the hand-painted patterns really stand out.

Being caught up in busyness, I had been neglecting my meals.

Perhaps I was unconsciously searching for something that could serve as a catalyst for improvement.

The first dish I tried serving in the Arita ceramics medium bowl was pasta with rapeseed blossoms and bacon.

I hadn't really cooked properly for myself much before, but when I actually tried it, it was delicious.

"Not bad at all, me"

Quite out of character, I ended up taking a photo with my smartphone.

  • 有田焼の「染付蛸唐草山水桔梗渕7寸中鉢」に菜の花のパスタが入った写真

It was a discovery that Arita ceramics match not only Japanese cuisine but also Western cuisine.
Pasta, curry, fried rice, and stuffed cabbage rolls.

  • 女性がロールキャベツの入った有田焼「染付蛸唐草山水桔梗渕7寸中鉢」をテーブルに置く写真
  • 有田焼の「染付魚(骨)長角皿(中)」を女性がテーブルに置こうとする写真

What's wonderful is that when you serve food in Arita pottery, even ordinary dishes reveal a new dimension.

In addition to such discoveries, I also realized, "I actually quite enjoy cooking."

Who would have thought that enjoying meals with beloved pottery could be so enriching to the soul.

I feel almost regretful that I had been treating my daily meal times somewhat carelessly—what a waste it was.

After washing it carefully, I'll store it in an easily accessible spot in the cupboard.

Finding myself taking photos of even this scene, I chuckled at my own behavior.

  • 食器棚の手前に有田焼の器が並んでいる写真