Ame-Yu Renge Spoon with Saucer

Ame-Yu Series Renge Spoon with Saucer

Essential for nabe (hot pot) dinner. The saucer can also be used as a small bowl for condiment or dipping sauce. The name Ame-Yu refers to a kind of glaze and has a shiny deep amber color. It’s also one of the most historic types of glaze in Japan and gives beautiful texture to pottery.

True “Terror” of Iga

Iga region, where this donabe is made, used to be the bed of Lake Biwa about 4 million years ago. The clay from this region is naturally highly heat-resistant and has been used for open-flame cooking for many hundreds of years. This clay consists of a high level of pre-historic fossilized microorganisms that leave the clay porous when fired. The porous body gives the donabe remarkable heat-retention ability. The donabe gradually builds the heat when it’s heated, then it cools down very slowly after the heat is turned off. This, along with the glaze that promotes the far infrared rays (FIR – the same effect as how the glowing charcoal cook ingredients without direct flame) when it’s heated, allow the donabe to produce a gentle, steady heat that penetrates to the core of each ingredient. The effect is ingredients are cooked evenly with all the flavors sealed inside.

Authentic Iga-yaki pottery by Nagatani-en

Iga-yaki (Iga-style) pottery is one of Japan’s most highly-regarded traditional ceramics and is said to have originated in Iga, Mie-Prefecture in late 7th Century. This donabe is made by Nagatani-en, a leading producer of authentic Iga-yaki pottery since 1832. At Nagatani-en, each donabe is made by hand with care and it takes about 2 weeks to produce an individual donabe. Nagatani-en’s Iga-yaki products have been loved by both professionals and home cooks in Japan.

Your authentic Iga-yaki pottery develops its character as it ages

Authentic Iga-yaki tableware or pottery can develop its character as you use it over time. The color and texture could change slightly, or tiny crackles ("kannyu") could develop inside. These are all the welcoming characteristics of Iga-yaki's historic wabi-sabi beauty, and we hope you enjoy using this pottery for a very long time.

All the donabe and Iga-yaki products made by Nagatani-en are hand-crafted with care, so every piece is unique and no two pieces are identical. There are slight variations within the color/ shade, shape/ curve, and patterns, among pieces, and that makes each piece so special. Especially for the high-end collection items made on a wheel, there are unique "uneven" glaze tones, that brings the signature traditional Iga-yaki "wabi-sabi" look, which can only be achieved by skilled artisans.
Also under different lighting and angle, the actual color shade and nuance may also appear slightly different from the photos in the product page.

• Size: 5” x2.1” x 2.3” high (12.5 cm x 5.5 cm x 6 cm high) – not including the saucer
• Weight: 3 oz (120 g)

Material: Clay
Producer: Nagatani-en
Origin: Iga, Japan

Usage and Care

• This product is microwave-safe. Do not set the product on any other direct heat.
• Hand wash only. Make sure to dry completely before storing. This product is not dishwasher safe.
• Food should not be stored in the product, as the porous clay could absorb the moisture and smell of the contents over time.
• Avoid any sharp temperature change on the product, as it could cause cracking.
• Do not freeze the product, as it might crack.

Domestic Orders

• Usually ships out in-stock items within 3 business days of order.
• We use FedEx, USPS Priority Mail, or USPS First Class Mail to ship our products, depending on the size and weight of the package.
• Read about the shipping information and terms in our Customer Service Page.
• Free shipping with purchase of $375 or more! (Within Continental US only. Total purchase amount to qualify excludes free shipping offer items.)

International Orders

• Usually ship out in-stock within 5 business days of order.
• We use USPS Priority Mail International for international shipping.
• We do not accept any returns for international orders. Any additional charges (including but not limited to import tax, custom fees, VAT, brokerage charge) that might incur after the order lands in the destination country must be borne by the recipient.
• Read about the shipping information and terms in our Customer Service Page.