This tableware festival has been held in Tokyo since 1993. Here, at the Tokyo Dome, you’ll find traditional and modern vendors and exhibitors showcasing bowls, plates, saucers, cups, and chopsticks. But it’s not just important what you eat, but the overall dining atmosphere as well.

 

[Hitoshi Sasaki, Chief Merchandiser, Noritake]:

“It’s not just the taste that’s important; we look with our eyes, smell the aroma, and enjoy the atmosphere. We enjoy the surrounding from our seat. This is what we consider. When we dine, more than just the conversation, we enjoy the entire experience around us.”

 

Noritake came up with the concept “New Japanese-Western Modernism.” They mix Western-style dishes with Japanese patterns, creating European tableware that follows the Japanese art tradition.

 

[Hitoshi Sasaki, Chief Merchandiser, Noritake]:

“We reexamine Japan’s good aspects and the good aspects of Western style. We were the first to have Western dinnerware. We’ve tried to capture good looks and on top of that, we’ve take today’s modern life concepts, and created a new Japanese style of Western tableware.” 

 

However popular western style dishes may be, Japanese still can’t part from their beloved chopsticks.

 

[Takeru Ai, Tokyo Dome]:

“When we use forks and knives, we feel a little nervous but when we use chopsticks we feel at ease, and can eat comfortably. This is how I think it is for Japanese people.”  

 

Although traditional chopsticks are the most important utensil for Japanese, other traditional tableware is an expensive luxury not everyone can afford, even in Japan. Because of the price and simple design, Japanese dinnerware is losing its appeal. But people like Eifu Kawamata are preserving Japan’s antique designs. He has a small business producing his own traditional wooden tableware.

 

[Eifu Kawamata, Owner, Okeei]:

“This is how I made this traditional box-shaped tableware. If you take a look, it’s divided into three here, and it uses bamboo nails. When you see it from above, the wood panels are linked to the right. This is how traditional box-shaped tableware is made in Japan.”

 

If you come to Japan, make sure you follow table manners.

 

[Eifu Kawamata, Owner, Okeei]:

“First look, choose what you want to eat, and then pick up. If you do it like this... it’s not good.”

 

This festival will be held until Febuary 8th.

 

Liliana Yap, NTD, Tokyo.