Hibi Seto Tray Round Oribe green

The Hibi Seto bowl in Oribe green is a hand-glazed porcelain bowl from the Japanese pottery region of Seto – crafted as a dedicated holder for Hibi incense sticks and their heat-resistant mat. The round form with a 75 mm diameter sits compactly in the hand: cool, smooth porcelain that gains a deep, earthy green tone with vibrant surface texture through the Oribe glaze. Each bowl is individually glazed and fired – tonal shifts and minimal colour variations are not flaws, but the hallmark of handcrafted individual pieces.

Features

• Custom-fitted recess for the Hibi heat-protection mat: A recessed indent sits in the centre of the bowl, into which the Hibi mat fits precisely – the mat sits stable, without slipping.
• Oribe glaze from Seto: The green colour is created through copper-sulphate-based glaze in oxidation firing – a technique practised in Seto since the early 19th century. The result is a rich green tone with natural depth and subtle glaze runs that vary depending on the firing process.
• Seto porcelain with over 1,000 years of tradition: Seto is regarded as one of Japan's six oldest pottery regions and was historically the first centre of glazed ceramics in the country. The light, dense porcelain from the region forms the quiet foundation on which the Oribe glaze particularly glows.
• Hand-glazed – no two pieces identical: Because each bowl is glazed by hand, minor variations in colour tone and surface are not just possible, but desired. No two examples look exactly alike.
• Compact format for everyday use: 75 mm diameter – small enough for a desk, windowsill or shelf, large enough to safely hold the mat and a burning incense stick.

Use & Tips

• Insert mat, light the stick: Place the Hibi heat-protection mat into the bowl's recess. Light the stick like a match on the striking surface of the Hibi box, let it burn briefly until the flame goes out – then place it on the mat and enjoy the scent for around 10 minutes.
• Only one stick at a time: Burning multiple sticks simultaneously on one mat can lead to overheating – one stick is enough for an intense fragrance experience.
• Clean the mat after each use: Remove ash residue from the mat before placing a new stick on it – if ash mixes with the new scent, it will alter the fragrance profile.
• Decorative even without sticks: The Oribe glaze and simple format make the bowl a lasting decorative object on a desk or sideboard – equally suited as a tray for jewellery, coins or small accessories.
• Note on contents: The bowl is supplied without Hibi incense sticks and without a heat-protection mat. The mat and sticks are available separately in our range.

For Ceramic Enthusiasts

The Oribe glaze has a concrete chemical origin: copper sulphate as a green colourant, fired in an oxidising atmosphere – this is the only way the characteristic green emerges. In a reducing atmosphere, the same copper would produce red tones. Seto potters have used this glaze since the early 19th century; its roots trace back to Furuta Oribe, the tea master of the 16th/17th century after whom this type of glaze is named. The interplay between the white, dense Seto porcelain – formed from Kibushi clay and silica sand from the Seto deposits – and the flowing Oribe glaze creates the tonal shifts typical of this ware: sometimes deep and rich, sometimes transparent and watery, always dependent on the individual firing process.

Technical Specifications