Authentic Iga-Yaki pottery, by Nagatani-en from Iga, Japan.
Iga-yaki is one of Japan’s most highly-regarded traditional ceramics, which is said to have originated in Iga, Mie-Prefecture in late 7th Century. Nagatani-en, founded in 1832, is the leading producer of Iga-yaki potteries. Nagatani-en’s product has been loved by both professional chefs and home cooks.
Classic Kyoto-style shallow donabe
This all-purpose Iga-yaki donabe has the unique wide shallow body. It’s a typical Kyoto-style, in which you can make the quick stew, or braising, as well as popular hot pot dishes including shabu shabu and sukiyaki on tabletop with your family and friends. The shallow wide body of the porous Iga clay can heat the broth quickly and it will retain the heat for a long time. Because Iga clay has the higher heat-resistance, you can cook with it over gas range or in the oven.
True “Terroir” of Iga
One of the reasons which make Iga-yaki donabe (Iga-style clay pot) so special is the clay.
Iga region, where this donabe is from, used to be the bed of Lake Biwa in the pre-historic time. The clay from this region naturally has the higher level of heat-resistance, therefore the potteries for the open-flame use have been made in this region for many hundreds of years. Because the clay from Iga consists of higher content of carbonated organisms from the pre-historic time, the clay which makes Iga-style donabe is generally porous. Therefore, it “breathes” during cooking. When cooked with Iga-style donabe, porous clay benefits the donabe to retain the heat fully before it penetrates to the core of each ingredient in the donabe. Also, the glaze of the surface of the donabe promotes the far infrared radiation (FIR) when heated. With this effect, the ingredients cook evenly while the flavors are sealed inside.
Product Info – Classic Iga-yaki Donabe, “Kyoto Ame-yu”
(Kyoto-style shallow donabe)
Medium-size (ideal for 2-4 people)
Product #: ZN-54
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• Clay Pot (ceramic, made of the clay from Iga, Japan)
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• Size: 12-inch x W14.5”-inch (incl. handles) x H7-inch
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• Capacity: 1,800 ml (about 7 cups)
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• Weight: 2.8 kg (about 6.5 lbs.)
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• Made by Nagatani-en
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• Origin: Iga, Japan
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• The parts consist of the pot (bottom part) and the top lid
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• For gas stove top and oven use only
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• Not suitable for the electric range or microwave
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• Not suitable for the dishwasher
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• The package also includes an English instruction sheet.
Price: $180.00
Sophisticated design
The shallow inner body has the beautiful swirl design with the rustic shiny touch.
“Wabi-sabi” rustic beauty
The glaze on the surface has the classic rustic Iga-yaki look. The bumps and spots which sometimes look like unfinished or small cracks are what we appreciate as “Wabi-sabi”...esthetic of incomplete or non-perfect character.
