[Choosing Your First Tableware] If you're going to be particular, these are the 3 things to focus on!
Three "Essentials" to Nurture Your Life
As a new life begins and you slowly sit down at the dining table, there are moments when the presence of "tableware" suddenly starts to capture your attention.
Up until now, functional and simple dishes bought at a nearby shop were perfectly satisfying.
However, as you get more involved in cooking and arranging seasonal ingredients, you find yourself wanting "tools that resonate with your heart, not just for serving." Many of you might feel this way, too.
When choosing "good tableware" for the first time, everyone experiences a slight uneasiness, like a small knot, fearing "I don't want to make a mistake."
If you're going to choose, you want to pick something you can proudly display on your table every day, not something that will gather dust in the back of your cupboard.
What Maison Toji values more than immediate flashiness is a "modest beauty" that reveals depth with every use.
Tableware that enhances your food without being overpowering, and before you know it, will still be supporting your life in the most familiar places years later.
This time, for those of you who are lost in the world of choosing tableware, we'd like to introduce "three types" that we recommend as a starting point.
With these, your daily table, from the morning light to the silence of midnight, is sure to be filled with pleasant harmony.
1. A piece that creates the "scenery" of your dining table: 21cm plate (7 sun)
A plate of approximately 21cm, referred to as "7 sun (shichisun)" in the world of tableware.
This is the most versatile and frequently used "main character of the dining table" in modern life.
In the soft morning light, serve golden-brown toast and a fresh salad. Or colorful pasta in the afternoon. In the evening, a carefully prepared main meat dish.
The appeal of this size lies in the "empty space" created after plating.
Even with the main dish placed in the center, the slight space remaining next to it creates a breathing room, a sense of ease on the table.
For couples, it's also extremely useful as a "slightly smaller large plate" for serving a main dish that can be shared by two.
You often hear the term "7 sun" in tableware shops, but it doesn't necessarily have to be exactly 21cm.
A size between 19cm and 23cm, feeling like a widely opened palm, should be just as comfortably usable.
2. Embracing your relaxing time: A large mug
Your time to reset begins with brewing a warm drink. A mug, which you touch directly with your hands and lips every day, might be more like an intimate "companion" than just a tool.
For size, we recommend looking for one that holds at least 250ml (when full), enough for one serving of drip coffee.
250ml is versatile enough for not just coffee, but also tea, rooibos tea, and more.
When choosing a mug in a shop, first pay attention to the individuality of the material.
"Pottery (touki)," which conveys the warmth of earth and rustic strength, can melt your heart with the gentle heat that spreads through your hands on a winter morning. On the other hand, "porcelain (jiki)," with its dignified elegance and smooth texture, will be a comforting companion during an afternoon when you want to feel a bit more refined.
Furthermore, the shape of the cup can even change the "taste" of your drink. A tall, narrow cup retains heat longer as it has less surface area exposed to the air, allowing you to enjoy your favorite drink warm to the very end. Conversely, a wide-mouthed, gently shaped cup beautifully reflects the color and shimmer of tea, and its aroma gently rises.
Functionality is important, but above all, prioritize a tactile feel that makes you think, "I love this texture." That intuition will enrich your daily moments.
3. A healthy foundation for daily life: Rice bowl
No matter how diverse the food cultures you encounter, doesn't your heart ultimately return to "freshly cooked rice"?
When choosing a rice bowl, one tends to focus on the exterior painting and design, but in fact, the "color of the interior" is a crucial element that affects the deliciousness.
For example, the pure white interior of a porcelain bowl brings out the incomparable freshness of freshly cooked rice's "ginshari" (lustrous white rice).
On the other hand, a pottery bowl with an earthy texture evokes a gentle warmth, reminiscent of a nostalgic countryside scene.
A small piece of advice:
If the interior is too brightly colored (primary blues, reds, yellows, etc.), it can overpower the delicate color of white rice, and strangely, the perception of taste can change. Imagine the fluffy whiteness of rice when served, and try to find the "most delicious-looking" scene for yourself.
Conclusion
Arranging tableware, facing oneself.
When these "three types" are in place, it strangely makes planning daily meals a little more enjoyable.
Their versatility, accommodating both Japanese and Western dishes, is sure to foster confidence and affection in your daily life.
If you feel like adding something beyond these three, next, pay attention to "mamezara (small plates)" and "soup bowls."
Though often thought of as too small, mamezara can add a touch of "carefulness" to your table just by holding a splash of soy sauce or a small side of pickles.
Placing a slightly flashy pattern or color can also serve as an accent for your dining area.
Soup bowls can be surprisingly versatile, sometimes serving as a substitute for a rice bowl, other times as a "tonusui" (individual serving bowl) for hot pot.
When you're unsure about choosing tableware, please take your time to browse Maison Toji's page.
As you take in the appearance of the tableware presented, consider what kind of life you want to live, and what kind of time you want to spend.
We hope you cherish such quiet moments of self-reflection.