THE SUN TO A TABLE – ONEKILN’s tableware

If you want to enhance your meals with your family or loved ones, why not focus on the dishes on which you serve your food?

In this issue, we will introduce the charm and secret of popularity of ONEKILN, a pottery brand that accompanies people around the dining table.

What is “ONEKILN”?

ONEKILN” is a brand of pottery that means “one kiln.

It was established by Yusuke Kido in 2018 in a residential area of Kagoshima. The brand focuses on local production for local consumption, and its appeal lies in the colors and textures that only local soil and Sakurajima volcanic ash can produce.

Under the philosophy of “THE SUN TO A TABLE- Bringing sunshine to the table,” the brand continues to provide “tableware” that brings smiles to the faces of those around the table.

Trained at an Arita-yaki pottery studio

I want to find my own style” and “I want to create a form that no one has ever seen before. Moved by a desire to express himself, Mr. Kido began to make ceramics.

He chose Arita-yaki as his training ground to become a potter. There, many craftsmen were active who had mastered their respective skills, such as prototyping, painting, and kiln firing.

I want to make ceramics carefully by hand while touching the clay,” he said. Although he was inspired by his surroundings and his passion for ceramics grew, the newcomer’s work was all subcontracted work. However, the newcomer’s work was always done by subcontractors, and his passion waned.

It was then that he met someone who paved the way for him to become an independent potter.

I will create my own place to realize what I want to do.

One person who had a great influence on Mr. Kido was his father, Ryota Ishihara, a friend who is as close to him as a brother. While working as a designer and prototype maker at a kiln in a neighboring town of Arita, he also worked on his own creations in his private life.

He asked many questions to his father, who embodies his own personality. Despite some rude questions due to his inexperience, his father was generous with his time, laughing at us.

As she spent quality time with him, she regained her motivation and confidence that had almost disappeared. Mr. Kido decided that he would create his own place to realize what he wanted to do, so he left the kiln where he had received his training and began working night shifts while trying his hand at his own creations. On his days off, he visited the Ishihara family atelier and learned the know-how of a potter.

Made in Kagoshima

ONEKILN was born in 2008. He set up his own pottery studio in a residential area just a short drive from downtown Kagoshima City.

The moment he saw the “one kiln” standing in his small garage, he was filled with joy that the possibilities were endless as long as he had this.

After becoming independent, his first challenge was to make white porcelain tableware. When he was drying the base material from the mold outside, black spots appeared on the fired surface due to the volcanic ash from Sakurajima, and he could not make it as he had expected.

However, they came up with an idea to use the volcanic ash as a raw material. After years of trial and error over the amount of volcanic ash and firing temperatures until he was satisfied with the results, he perfected a glaze with volcanic ash.

Then, the “ASH Series” was born, focusing on Kagoshima products. The star-like sparkling glaze on the slate gray surface creates a chic look. The more you use it over the years, the more matte it becomes, and the more you can enjoy its change over time.

An enjoyable space created by human connection

When he thought about the dishes that shine with local ingredients and seasonings, his definition of pottery changed completely.

A vessel is only a tool to put food on, and it is not complete on its own. It is only complete when there is a dining table, food, and the people who surround it.

Through the process of making pottery, I have come to think that I want to value relationships with various people.

In proposing new works, we first decided to use clay layer soil from the field of a friend who runs a farm in Minami-Satsuma City. From there, a series called “CULTIVATE” was born, based on Bozu clay from Minami-Satsuma and Amakusa ceramic stone from Kumamoto.

The simple design with the warmth of the clay and the strength of the clay make it easy to use in everyday life.

The longitude and latitude of the digging location and the percentage of soil blended are engraved on the back of each vessel in order to convey the character of the local soil and the local culture.

A dining table overflowing with smiles

I want to create dishes that make everyone happy.

Kido aspired to become a potter for self-expression, but as people gathered at ONEKILN, his feelings began to change.

As of 2024, ONEKILN has collaborated with Blue Bottle Coffee on products and participated in the centerpiece project of BRUTUS issue 1000, “The Best Purchase of Your Life. It has become a brand loved by many people and restaurants, such as participating in the centerpiece project of

The reason for the brand’s popularity can be attributed to the fact that each of its creations reflects the brand’s hope of “becoming a brand that brings smiles to people’s faces through tables.

ONEKILN continues to create works of art today to enrich dining tables around the world. You too may be able to enjoy a more heartwarming meal just by changing your tableware.

Click here to see ONEKILN products