“Overflowing with Love for Mino” – A Visit to Daitoua Ceramic Industry, Where Jobs Are Created and Preserved
One of the most popular items at Yamani is the “Nekochigura” series—functional Mino ware dishes featuring adorably expressive cats and strikingly white ceramic bodies, among the purest in the industry.
This time, we paid a visit to Daitoua Ceramic Industry Co., Ltd. (hereafter referred to as Daitoua), the passionate creators behind these beloved cat-themed pieces.
Daitoua is a company built on the belief that contributing to society means creating and protecting employment. With that mission in mind, we’d like to introduce their heartfelt philosophy and their impressively equipped factory.
“Like an Automotive Plant” – Daitoua’s Wide Array of Machinery
To support the production of large quantities of Mino ware, Daitoua’s factory is filled with a variety of heavy-duty, high-tech machines.
As plates travel along the belt conveyors, the scene looks more like an automotive factory than a pottery plant! The spacious facility is almost fully automated, allowing a minimal team to handle the entire production flow.
Clay Mixing Machines
This is a mechanical kneader that blends the clay using motor power. The cylindrical lump extruding from the machine is raw clay, ready to be formed into tableware.
But these clay lumps are surprisingly heavy!
Even loading them onto carts is hard work. To reduce strain, Daitoua also mechanized this task, ensuring the production process is human-friendly and accessible even to those who aren’t physically strong.
Forming the Shape of the Dish
This machine shapes the clay instantly through powered molding. Also known as roller-forming, this method uses plaster molds and rollers to automatically shape the clay with a “whirr.”
It’s ideal for mass-producing ceramic ware, which is a hallmark of Mino ware.
The trimmed-off clay scraps visible in the photo are not discarded—they’re recycled. Bisque-fired pieces are sent to clay producers, and fully fired waste is passed on to recycling companies. Nearly nothing is wasted.
Daitoua is clearly committed to corporate-level sustainability.
And here’s Daitoua’s president, Mr. Eiji Kaede (on the right).
President Kaede personally gave us a warm and detailed tour of the factory. His kind demeanor reflects Daitoua’s commitment to people and the environment alike.
One of Japan’s Largest Bisque Kilns
Next, we entered a massive chamber housing a 60 to 70-meter-long bisque kiln capable of firing 100,000 pieces a day.
No wonder Daitoua ranks among the top Mino ware manufacturers—that’s an incredible output! The kiln operates fully autonomously 24/7.
Machine for Drawing Lines on Rims
This machine draws a clean, even line along the rim of each dish. Automation ensures consistent quality across every piece.
Glazing Machine
This impressive robotic arm applies glaze to the ceramic pieces. The delicate yet dynamic movement was mesmerizing to watch.
Automated Pattern Printing
This is a pad-printing machine that automatically applies designs to ceramics. A soft, sponge-like pad stamps the image onto rotating dishes.
(It looked kind of like a squishy block of jelly—very cute!)
This process would take forever by hand, but the machine finishes it in no time.
Hand-Painting Area for Delicate Pieces
We ended the tour at the hand-painting area.
Wait, people? That’s unusual for such a machine-centric facility!
This section is dedicated to delicate wares that machines can’t glaze evenly. Here, a team of skilled artisans applies each design by hand.
According to President Kaede, they intentionally embrace handcrafting because human touch adds value.
While full automation is the norm in most factories, Daitoua chooses to maintain manual processes where possible. After all, without skilled workers, those traditional techniques could disappear.
It’s not just about the “made in Japan” label—it’s also about being proudly handcrafted.
They recently expanded their handcrafting lines, showing a strong commitment to local employment and preserving artisanal skills.
A company that cares for the environment, people, and the community. What a beautiful mission.
On the way out, we spotted a new male staff member. Apparently, new hires rotate through every production line, learning step-by-step with guidance—not just by watching silently.
“Follow my lead” might work in some places, but Daitoua builds structured learning environments to foster talent.
President Kaede of Daitoua (left) and Ogiso from Yamani (right)
Our visit ended with a cheerful commemorative photo with President Kaede, who guided us so kindly throughout the tour.
Bonus: Planting Seeds for the Future of Mino Ware
Daitoua also organizes design competitions in collaboration with local university students. They gather ideas for home-use tableware that young people would want to buy, helping spark interest in the ceramics industry.
This initiative is a wonderful example of how to nurture the future of Mino ware.
Our Visit to Daitoua Ceramic Industry
This was a truly educational tour of one of the largest and most technically advanced Mino ware manufacturers.
We were impressed by how well they’re equipped to handle large OEM orders too.
Thank you for the inspiring experience!
More info:
Daitoua Ceramic Industry Co., Ltd. Official Website
Daitoua’s Tableware
The popular Nekochigura series
Cats are always a hit!
Suichu Tanken (Underwater Exploration) series
Ogiso’s favorite! The duck is adorable!
URARAKa series
Simple and sweet shapes.
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