A producer of Arita ceramic ware and a sake brewer in Saga Prefecture have come up with a way to breathe new life into their businesses by selling Arita ware cups filled with premium rice wine.
Once the contents have been consumed, the beautifully painted receptacles can be used as vases or teacups, and industry watchers say the new product line is becoming increasingly popular.
Putting sake in Arita ware is the brainchild of china producer Bunpachi Kobo and microbrewer Koimari Shuzo, two local firms in the prefecture. In promoting the concept, they have overseas markets very much in mind, recalling the days when Arita ware was coveted by Europe's privileged classes.