This uniquely designed Fukkura-san Donabe allows for easy cooking, simmering or frying on a gas cooker. For cooking, you can use it with or without a lid. The lid keeps moisture in the pot and causes cooking with the help of long-wave infrared rays, so that the food cooks evenly and stays juicy, as if grilled over charcoal. Roasting is also possible with the grill provided, as in this case the food does not touch the bottom of the pot but cooks as if in an oven. Even after the heat is switched off, the Fukkura-san stores the heat very well and the ingredients continue to cook with the residual heat for the next 5 to 10 minutes. A rack can be placed in the pan and you can roast the ingredients on the stovetop. The fukkura-san pan, unlike other types of donabe, can also be heated when empty (with or without a lid).

But the Fukkura-san can also be used for cooling. Whether for sashimi or chilled noodles in summer, the Fukkura-san acts like a small table refrigerator by keeping its interior cool through evaporation. To do this, simply water the Fukkura-san for a few minutes and fill the bowl with ice cubes.

The lid of the Fukkura-san can function as a decorative serving bowl when used upside down.

Iga yaki pottery (Iga style) is one of Japan's most prestigious traditional ceramics and is believed to have originated in Iga, Mie Prefecture, in the late 7th century. This donabe is made by the family-run Nagatani-en manufactory, one of the leading producers of authentic Iga Yaki ceramics. They have been intricately handcrafting donabe pots since 1832 and it takes up to two weeks to make a donabe. Nagatani-en's award-winning Igá-Monó Donabe collection is prized by professionals and amateur cooks alike in Japan.

The clay from the Iga region is naturally highly porous and very heat-resistant, giving the pots outstanding cooking properties such as even heat distribution and retention. This traditional donabe only works over an open flame and in the oven.

Each pot is handmade in a fortnight. Each one is unique and small variations are an expression of individuality and desired imperfection in the sense of Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese concept of aesthetics.

Care instructions:

Not dishwasher safe. After use, use carefully by hand in lukewarm water with mild soap and a natural fibre brush. Please do not use a scouring pad. Then dry thoroughly with a clean cloth and turn upside down to completely dry. Store in a cool, dry place to avoid mould (do not store in a cardboard box).

The Makers

Iga yaki pottery (Iga style) is one of Japan's most prestigious traditional ceramics and is believed to have originated in Iga, Mie Prefecture in the late 7th century. This donabe is made by the family-run Nagatani-en manufactory, one of the leading producers of authentic Iga Yaki ceramics. They have been intricately handcrafting donabe pots since 1832 and it takes up to two weeks to make a donabe. The award-winning Igá-Monó Donabe collection by Nagatani-en is appreciated in Japan by professionals and amateur cooks alike.