Kumoi Gama
Shiga, Japan

Ippento Nakamura began making his first pots in the 1980s, and the next decade, he was named the 9th generation leader of the Kumoi Gama studio, founded in 1765.  For over 250 years Kumoi Gama has insisted on producing earthenware by hand, using premium clay from Lake Biwa, resulting in donabes that are much thicker, sturdier and smoother than ordinary ones.  Not only that, they have an extraordinary hardness and remarkable heat-retention ability that’s rustic and artistic, perfect for cooking and presentation and used for Japanese Emperor, for prestigious Ryokan and Restaurants.