Keep it long, treasure it long.

Enjoying every day with a vessel that includes expression.

Introducing ALONGU, a brand of Hasami ware born from a re-examination of "the current dining table." Designed with the intention of accompanying a wide range of daily meals—from homemade Japanese dishes to pasta, salads, and even ready-made side dishes—these vessels are crafted to embrace all types of cuisine. Imagine serving toast and fruit for breakfast, leftovers on a single plate for lunch, and a well-presented main and side dish for dinner. The versatility of these pieces is truly appealing.

Tableware You Can Use Without Hesitation for Today's Menu

For everyday tableware, it’s essential to be able to use them without hesitation rather than constantly worrying about them. ALONGU is designed to be durable and affordable, aiming to be the go-to tableware in your daily life. Safe for use in microwaves and dishwashers, they seamlessly fit into the flow of daily chores. Whether it’s a busy day or a day when you want to enjoy a proper meal, these pieces are always within reach.

The Plate is a basic flat dish that is easy to coordinate on the dining table. The 250mm size is perfect for showcasing main dishes, allowing you to serve hamburgers or sautéed fish with sides, or to combine various side dishes on one plate, expanding your plating options. The slightly raised edges also help contain sauces or broths, making it even more versatile. The 220mm size is just right for a side plate, not too large for breakfast toast or salad, and perfect for serving ready-made dishes, making it a frequently used piece.

Crafting Tableware with Individual Variations in Mind

ALONGU’s tableware is designed with the understanding that variations in glaze thickness and iron particles will occur. While porcelain is often associated with uniformity, the raw materials are natural stoneware, and the kiln environment changes with the seasons and climate. Due to the thickness of the glaze, firing conditions, and manual processes, variations such as glaze mottling and small iron particles naturally occur. At ALONGU, rather than categorizing these variations as defects, we design them to enhance the charm of the pieces. We actively use glazes that are prone to crystal reactions, allowing each piece to have a unique appearance.

Glaze is not only decorative but also serves to protect the surface and influence how food looks. After thorough testing, ALONGU has selected four types of glaze expressions that are easy to handle on the dining table and help food look appetizing.
- **Fuchi-Sabi**: This finish features a dark line at the rim due to iron glaze, creating a clear contrast against the white base, enhancing the outline of the plating and working well with dishes that you want to present delicately.
- **Seiji**: A transparent glaze with a hint of pale blue that brightens the table without being flashy. It prevents white ingredients or light-colored dishes from appearing dull, making it easy to match with everyday meals.
- **Tenmoku**: A black glaze rich in iron that reacts during firing to create delicate patterns on the surface. Although it tends to show individual variations, its deep color enhances the vibrancy of ingredients, making it suitable for colorful dishes and those with oil.
- **Yaki-Shime**: A matte finish achieved by firing at high temperatures without glaze. Among the four types, it has a texture closest to Western tableware, making it versatile for dishes from any cuisine.

A New Choice in Hasami Ware

ALONGU is a tableware brand born from the perspective of "enjoying the present state of Japanese cuisine and hinting at the future of it." It seeks to create tableware that does not limit itself to specific culinary genres, based on the evolving Japanese dining table that incorporates diverse food cultures. The product design is led by Jin Kuramoto, who references modern Asian tableware styles while focusing on the forms of plates and bowls.

The background is rooted in the context of "living tableware" nurtured by Hasami, Nagasaki. Used daily, washed, stored, and reused—ALONGU values the seamless continuation of this cycle while enhancing the "freedom of use" to adapt to the diversification of modern dining. Drawing inspiration from local production activities and agriculture in Hasami town, ALONGU also engages in waste reduction through its production cycle, reflecting the makers' commitment in the product's essence.

As a result, ALONGU offers pieces that can be used daily without hesitation, naturally complementing both Japanese and Western dishes, and maintaining a cohesive aesthetic whether purchased as a set or added to over time. For those who find it challenging to maintain overly meticulous table settings, ALONGU quietly provides a reliable option for creating a "realistic" well-arranged dining table.