These days, mamezara or tiny plates have been popular in and out of Japan.

You can see various food presentation or table setting with mamezara plates in Instagram.

 

Japan Design Store offers some mamezara.

The most popular items are mamezara of Azmaya.

The other day, we got new items!

That is mamezara of KIHARA.

You can see various mamezara with beautiful Japanese traditional patterns.

 

Then, what is the difference between mamezara of KIHARA and Azmaya?

Today, let us introduce the difference of 2 mamezara.

 

4 difference points of mamezara : Azmaya vs. KIHARA

1. Kinds of porcelain

First, two porcelains are different porcelain.

Mamezara of KIHARA are Arita porcelain.

Arita porcelain is a Japanese traditional craft in Saga prefecture. It has more than 400 years' history.

 

On the contrary, mamezara of Azmaya are Hasami porcelain.

Hasami porcelain also has about 400 years' history.

The producing area of Hasami porcelain is next to that of Arita porcelain.

 

2. Printing skill

Two mamezara use different printing skill.

KIHARA uses "Pad printing" skill for mamezara.

Pad printing is a printing skill using silicon pad. With this printing skill, the craftsmen can print complex and delicate patterns on plates.

Contrary to this, Azmaya uses "Inban skill."

Inban is one of the printing skill from paper to porcelain. Craftsman wet the patterned “tensha-gami” (printing paper), and put it on to the unglazed pottery to print pattern. Since craftsman put and print one by one, all plates have each own face.

3. Size

2 brands offer 2 different types of mamezara.

KIHARA offers Mamezara and Torizara.

Mamezara is 10.8 cm in diameter.

Torizara is 15 cm in diameter.

Azmaya has Mamezara and Kozara.

Mamezara has various forms. On average, they are 8.7 cm in diameter.

Kozara is 11.7cm in diameter.

 

So, if we arrange 4 plates in order of size, it will be...

KIHARA torizara > Azmaya kozara > KIHARA mamezara >Azmaya mamezara

4. Kinds of mamezara

Both 2 mamezara series are rich in variety.

KIHARA has 10 patterns of mamezara and 5 patterns of Torizara.

Azmaya offers 7 forms × 2 types = 14 mamezara.

Azmaya has Inban-mamezara and Dobai-mamezara.

Both types have 7 forms.

In addition, kozara has 5 patterns.

They have something in common, too.

The patterns or forms of both brands have auspicious meanings.

Whatever you choose, the plates may bring you happiness.

 

We hope you can enjoy richer life with various mamezara.

 

Today's recommended items

Stylish Japanese small plates! Mamezara from KIHARA

Cute mamezara (tiny plates) collection of Hasami porcelain

Nostalgic and modern kozara with komon