Hechimon - One-of-a-Kind Collection from Shigaraki, Japan
Marui Seito is a third generation Shigaraki-yaki (Shigaraki ware) producer based in the town of Shigaraki in Shiga Prefecture. At Marui Seito, their craftsmen are committed to creating a wide range of pottery pieces with unremitting efforts to meet the needs of people since the Taisho period. Hechimon is Marui Seito's signature Shigaraki-yaki tableware collection. The name, Hechimon, is derived from the Japanese word used by the Shigaraki-yaki craftsmen for "one of a kind" or unique things. Just as no two people are the same, no two Shigaraki-yaki pieces will be identical. Embracing various shapes and patterns that both nature and craftsmen bring about, the name, Hechimon, represents the craftsmen's playfulness and truthfulness to their products.
Shigaraki-Yaki - One of the Six Ancient Kilns in Japan
Situated right below Lake Biwa and close to Kyoto, Shigaraki is one of the oldest pottery producing places in Japan, and its pottery producing history dates back over 1,200 years. Shigaraki-yaki (Shigaraki ware) is known as one of the six ancient kilns in Japan, and in 1976 Shigaraki-yaki was designated as one of Japan’s Traditional Handicrafts by the Japanese government.
Hechimon Shio-Tsubo Salt Pot Container- The "Breathing" Pot
Hechimon Shio-Tsubo Salt Pot has a beautiful soft round shape with a light-weight lid for easy removal. Made with Shigaraki's historic coarse clay (similar to Iga clay), the pot naturally absorbs excess moisture from the salt and helps keeping the ideal humidity level inside.
In order for the salt pot to absorb the moisture effectively, the interior is not glazed at all. Outside body has a shaved finish and only lightly coated with glaze made of clay material. This finish allows the pot to "breath"and distribute the moisture evenly all over the pot. For powdery type salt, the pot helps keeping the excess moisture out and preventing salt from crumbling together. For wet type sea salt, this pot can help keeping the salt moist. So, the pot can naturally control the moisture level by breathing it in and out.
The beautiful and handy salt pot is ideal to use both in the kitchen and at a dining table.
- Size: 2.5” diameter x 2.5” high (8 cm diameter x 8 cm high)
- Capacity: 6.5 fl.oz (190 ml)
- Weight: 7 oz (190 g)
Material: Clay
Producer: Marui Seito
Origin: Shigaraki, Shiga, Japan
Usage and Care
- This product is not microwave-safe. Do not set the product on any other direct heat.
- Hand wash only. It's not recommended you soak the pot in water for a long time. Make sure to dry completely before use. This product is not dishwasher safe.
- Hot water (and baking soda) is recommended when washing the pot instead of dish soap, as the pot could absorb the smell of the soap.
- It's not recommended you store liquid or any food with high moisture content in the pot.
- In the very humid environment, the salt in the pot could solidify easily. Shake the pot to prevent the salt from solidifying as necessary.
- Avoid any sharp temperature change on the product, as it could cause cracking.
- Do not freeze the product, as it might crack.
- If you soak the pot in water, the color could change, but that's the natural characteristics of the earthenware and it's safe to use.
- Depending on the humidity level and the type of salt inside, the outside of the pot could become wet or crystalized minerals could appear. That's also normal and the sign of the pot being working well to control the humidity level inside. You can simply wipe the pot or use a placemat.
