Japanese Nerikomi Ribbon Pattern Side Plate – Seto Ware Pottery by Tetsuo Nagae

This side plate is handcrafted by Tetsuo Nagae, a renowned ceramic artist based in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan—one of the country’s most historic pottery regions with nearly 1,000 years of tradition. So closely tied to ceramics is Seto that the word “setomono” has long been used in Japan to mean pottery itself.

Nagae is a specialist in the Nerikomi (kneaded clay) technique, in which carefully prepared colored clays are layered, cut, and assembled to form patterns that run through the entire body of the piece. This process is often likened to cutting Kintaro candy, where each slice reveals a unique cross-section.

The flowing pattern on this plate resembles softly twisted ribbons, created by laminating multiple colored clays with great precision. Because the joints are delicate, the piece is dried slowly over several weeks, then gently scraped and polished to reveal the beautiful Nerikomi design beneath the surface.

As each plate is handmade, no two are exactly alike. Subtle variations in color, pattern, and form are a natural part of the Nerikomi process and a hallmark of authentic Seto ware.

Perfect for serving sweets, small dishes, or simply enjoying as a decorative object, this side plate brings together traditional Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary design.