The Mark of Beauty

Hasami porcelain has recently been winning a fresh reputation for its elegance and style but the kilns of Hasami in Nagasaki Prefecture go back over 400 years.

Kanazawa is known as one of the three great places in Japan for traditional sweets and cakes. This castle town flourished as the seat of the rich Kaga fief, which famously yielded a million koku (1 koku is about 180 liters) of rice, and this land of deep snows has also produced a beautiful array of confections. Sweets that shine in the snow... What hidden techniques create such charm? The samurai households loved the decorous, dry sweets known as rakugan but how are those exquisite wooden molds carved? The raw sweets served at tea ceremonies are also a delight. We watch a master confectioner's creative, trial-and-error technique as he encapsulates the feel of the Hokuriku region. In this city of crafts, Kanazawa, we also pay attention to the bowls and plates. This is a winter journey to the confections of Kanazawa, when the city is at its most beautiful

This time we feature the quietly rising popularity of donabe - earthenware pots. They are both a utensil for simmering food and a fine centerpiece for the table. They have to be functional with good durability against heat, heat retention, sturdiness etc. and also have the beauty of a table ornament. The most prized dish at the old, luxury ryotei restaurants of Kyoto is the turtle hotpot. But what's unusual about the pot!? What is the particular beauty of the earthenware pot from the Iga region so beloved of Masako Shirasu?! We also introduce rare earthenware pots from around the world, exploring the little-known beauty of these simple yet warm utensils

和の情緒あふれる京都は、実はレトロな洋館の宝庫。 明治、大正、昭和に建てられたさまざまな様式の建物が残っています。