Handcrafted products are built to last. Not only in a practical sense, due to the invested expertise, time and high-quality materials, but also on an emotional level. When we see, smell and touch these creations, our senses awaken.

Handcrafted products are built to last, not only in a practical sense due to the invested expertise, time, and high-quality materials, but also on an emotional level. From delicate irregularities in leather pouches to subtle glaze variations on ceramic bowls – each nuance narrates a story and reflects the artisan’s personality. These marks of authenticity not only remind us of humanity’s ability to transform raw materials into functional works of art but also make each item even more precious and personal.

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Craftsmanship

CRAFTSMANSHIP

A Path to Perfection

A perfectly shaped ceramic bowl – with subtle variation in its glaze. A soft leather pouch – featuring a delicate irregularity in its texture. A gleaming brass vessel – gradually changing hue with every touch. As we hold an artisanal product in our hands, it's often only through closer inspection that we notice its unique characteristics and realise that it has been crafted by hand, from natural material, with an abundance of time, expertise and dedication. This is the captivating beauty of craftsmanship.

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Discover the profound bond that connects us to Japan. It involves our values, art of living, approach to craftsmanship and connections with talented artisans. It lives on in our name and in the meaning of our Japanese logo, ‘genkei’.

Discover the profound, multi-faceted bond that connects AGOBAY to Japan. It’s embodied in our name and the meaning of our Japanese logo, ‘genkei’. It encompasses the values and principles we live by, and is celebrated through a genuine appreciation of true craftsmanship. This is something we deeply respect, wish to learn from, and raise awareness about – together with our partnering Japanese artisans, designers and visionaries who accompany us in our journey in pursuit of beauty with a purpose.

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JAPANESE SOUL

Enduring Values

JAPAN

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Venture into the immersive, sensory and sophisticated world of Shinichiro Ogata. Explore the origins of his signature aesthetic, approach to craftsmanship and vision for the future of craft.

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Japanese craft

OGATA

Japanese Craftsmanship

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Ogata – Japanese craft

OGATA - Japanese craft

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Functional, timeless and long-lasting Japanese craftworks

Gourd teacup

Nestled in the palms of your hands, this ceramic teacup feels as calming as the tea it will hold. The full enjoyment of the aroma reaches you through the narrow opening, meticulously crafted by Japanese artisans in Mikawachi.

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Teapot for one

Discreetly asking for your touch, this unobtrusive yet artful teapot for one stands out due to the uniquely shaped strainer. Its ‘houhin’ shape makes it comfortable for holding and easy to pour any kind of tea.

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Hohin teapot

Especially created for brewing ‘gyokuro’, Japan’s most refined and exclusive green tea, this small teapot without a handle is called ‘houhin’ in Japan. It is handcrafted in Arita, in the Saga Prefecture.

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The sight of this ceramic teacup sometimes feels more calming than the tea it holds. Crafted with a narrow opening to keep the aroma within for full enjoyment, it fits comfortably in your hands. Handmade in Mikawachi, in the Nagasaki Prefecture, it is created by Japanese artisans who have been passing on their crafts since the mid-eighteenth century.

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Suiteki sauce pourer

The spherical body of this pouring vessel tapers gently to a spout with poetry that makes your heart ache. Crafted by handpicked artisans in Takaoka, in the Toyama Prefecture of Japan, which has been renowned for its copper craftsmanship since the late nineteenth century, Suiteki’s shape is reminiscent of a water drop swinging slowly.

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Glass teapot

Designed with functionality and minimal aesthetics in mind, this OGATA glass teapot is handmade in Sakai, in the Fukui Prefecture and in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture. It is perfect for observing the captivating spectacle of leaves unfurling slowly in hot water while indulging in the serene pleasure of a green or herbal tea.

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Inspired by the idea of creating the right jar for burning traditional Japanese incenses, this jar can also be used to safeguard small cherished objects. It is handcrafted in Arita, in the Saga Prefecture, a town renowned for being one of the first places in Japan to produce porcelain.

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Round teacup

Especially created for drinking sencha, the rounded shape of this teacup makes it comfortable to hold and provides a pleasant sensation to the touch while sipping tea. Handmade in Mikawachi, in the Nagasaki Prefecture, it is created by artisans who have been passing on their crafts in this region since the mid-eighteenth century. 

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Afternoon tea stand

A minimalist and elegant copper legged afternoon tea stand with two wooden trays. This OGATA design is crafted in Tsubane, in the Niigata Prefecture and Hirosaki, in the Aomori Prefecture.


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Ichimonji teapot

Crafted individually, these teapots are made on the pottery wheel by the skilled craftsmen of Tokoname, in the Aichi prefecture of Japan. Located on the western coast of the Chita Peninsula, this region is renowned for its production of ‘kyūsu’ (teapots). 

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Small plate with chopstick rest

Each small plate is a handmade piece with slight differences in colour, pattern, shape and size as a result of the process. 

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The spherical body of this pouring vessel tapers gently to a spout with poetry that makes your heart ache. Crafted by handpicked artisans in Takaoka, in the Toyama Prefecture of Japan, which has been renowned for its copper craftsmanship since the late nineteenth century, Suiteki’s shape is reminiscent of a water drop swinging slowly. Its beauty doesn’t hinder its function – the base fits wonderfully in your hand with a satisfying weight, and the delicate spout allows you to pour liquids with intention, from soy sauce to salad dressing. 

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All-in-one tea set

This tea cup has all the parts you need to enjoy a satisfying cup of tea. Created for individual use, the set is composed of a teacup, a tea strainer and a lid, which can be easily flipped over to hold the strainer. It is handcrafted in Arita, in the Saga Prefecture, a town renowned for being one of the first sites in Japan to produce porcelain. The elegant and functional tea set is suitable for various loose-leaf teas.

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Round tray in cedar

Crafted with the finest Akita cedar, this tray is made by skilled craftsmen in Hirosaki, in the Aomori Prefecture. 

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Mini bowl

Created to serve small bites or keep condiments, this unglazed mini bowl with its perfectly fitting lid safeguards different small ingredients. It is handcrafted in Arita, in the Saga Prefecture, a town renowned for being one of the first places in Japan to produce porcelain. Please be aware of the delicateness and very small size of this beautiful object; it measures only 50 mm high and 48 mm across.

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Rice bowl

Crafted individually on the pottery wheel, this bowl exudes a sense of peacefulness with its simple lines and perfected shapes. Its small size makes it ideal as an everyday rice or cereal bowl, but it can also be used to enjoy the tranquillity of a tea or for any purpose you see fit. 

It is handcrafted in Arita, in the Saga Prefecture, a town renowned for being one of the first sites in Japan to produce porcelain.

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Flower plate

The special glaze used for this plate gives it a refined touch, while maintaining a natural, almost unglazed look. It is designed by Shinichiro Ogata and handcrafted in Arita, in the Saga Prefecture, a town renowned for being one of the first places in Japan to produce porcelain.

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Created specifically for drinking the second infusion, ‘nisenme’, of ‘gyokuro’, Japan’s most refined and exclusive green tea, this cup can also be used perfectly for the first infusion of gyokuro. Its rounded shape is comfortable to hold and provides a pleasant sensation to the touch while sipping the tea. Handmade in Mikawachi, in the Nagasaki Prefecture, it is created by artisans who have been passing on their crafts in this region since the mid-eighteenth century.

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Teacup

Crafted individually on the pottery wheel, this cup is known as ‘yunomi’, a ceramic teacup which is taller than it is wide. It is handcrafted in Arita, in the Saga Prefecture, a town renowned for being one of the first sites in Japan to produce porcelain.

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Gyokuro Tea

Gyokuro is Japan’s rarest and most exclusive Sencha green tea. Due to its harvest period and the utmost care required in its cultivation, only limited quantities are available. To attain its robust umami flavour, the tea leaves are shielded from direct sunlight for 20 days before harvest. Grown at Uji in Kyoto, at Japan’s most traditional and finest terroirs, our Gyokuro’s characteristic fragrance is that of a covered scent – the jewel of dew.

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Sencha Tea

Sencha is the most commonly enjoyed tea in Japan. It is made with the first buds of tea and is known for its balanced bitterness and umami flavour. Grown at a single estate spread out on sloping terrain around Higashi-Shirakawa, Japan, our Sencha refreshes the palate and is rounded out by a subtle, sweet aroma.

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OGATA: Reinventing the Japanese Art of Living

With his deep knowledge of ancient Japanese traditions, the visionary behind the conceptual OGATA spaces in Paris and Japan offers readers a contemporary perspective on how to live a simple yet enriched life in harmony with nature. 