From Spain to Japan: how our collections are made
Our tableware lines are designed in Spain and handmade by artisans in Turkey and China. Our Japanese coffee cups are the exception: those are made entirely in Japan, start to finish. Neither is 'better' — they're two different craft traditions, each with its own history in ceramics.
Why design and production in different places?
The design — shape, colour palette, glaze choice — comes from Spain. The execution, the actual shaping and firing of each piece, is done by artisans in Turkey and China, two countries with a long tradition in ceramic production and the craft knowledge to produce reactive glaze and hand-shaped stoneware at scale without losing the quality of individual handwork.
The coffee cups: entirely Japanese craftsmanship
Our Japanese coffee cups, inspired by the traditional chawan, are the only line made entirely in Japan — from shaping to glazing, by Japanese artisans. That's a deliberate choice: for a product that refers so directly to the Japanese tea ceremony, the craftsmanship should come from there too.
What does 'handmade' mean here, concretely?
With Cosmos, every piece is shaped by hand instead of cast — no two plates are identical. With Elite and Aura, the glaze is applied by hand, and the reactive glaze gives an unpredictable, unique result during firing. With Zafiro and Velvet, the decoration is entirely brush-painted.
Why do we tell this story?
Transparency about origin isn't a marketing trick for us, but a basic expectation from buyers who deliberately choose handmade tableware. It also gives context to the price — see also our explanation of why handmade tableware is more expensive.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Wabi-Sabi Livingware tableware made?
Designed in Spain, handmade by artisans in Turkey and China. The Japanese coffee cups are made entirely in Japan.
Why isn't everything made in Japan, if the brand is based on Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy?
Wabi-sabi is a philosophy and aesthetic, not a geographic origin guarantee. The coffee cups are deliberately made in Japan because they refer directly to the Japanese tea ceremony; the tableware lines translate the same philosophy into a broader, international craft.
Is handmade tableware from Turkey/China lower quality than European tableware?
No — quality depends on craftsmanship and material, not the country of production. Turkey and China both have a long tradition of high-level ceramic production.