#Japan #Kobe #Nico Plate #Arita Ware #株式会社元林

The Birth of the ‘Nico Plate’ Project

In a bold initiative to enhance children's dining experiences, Kobayashi Corp. (Based in Higashinada, Kobe) has launched a crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE to create safe and easy-to-use tableware for kids. This innovative project, dubbed “Nico Plate,” features durable porcelain crafted from Arita’s traditional ceramic techniques.

Collaboration with Local Industry

During our efforts to collaborate with local industries, we connected with Takumi Co., a leading manufacturer of reinforced porcelain based in Arita, Saga Prefecture. Established in 1986, Takumi recognized early on the need to incorporate authentic tableware into Japanese school lunches, as children were often served meals on plastic plates. This reliance on non-ceramic tableware raised concerns among educators:

• - Will children appreciate the quality of Japanese ceramics?
• - Will knowledge about Arita ware fade away?
• - Is the Arita production region at risk of disappearing?

Thus, Takumi has dedicated itself to manufacturing school lunchware made from reinforced porcelain, addressing these pressing worries from the outset.

The Importance of Quality Tableware for Children

It’s common to see cheap plastic or silicone tableware for children, which is often discarded after weaning. However, at Takumi, there’s a vision to introduce children to quality items from an early age. This perspective emphasizes the idea that these “real” plates should ready children for a lifetime of meaningful mealtime memories.

In partnership with Takumi, we have embarked on the ‘Nico Plate’ project to fuse Arita’s traditional craftsmanship with the needs of today’s families.

Moving Beyond Plastic: A Plate That Nurtures

While lightweight plastics are the standard for children’s dishes, they come with drawbacks such as lingering odors, color retention, and a lack of warmth. We believe mealtime can be enhanced significantly by promoting safe, meaningful dining experiences. The ‘Nico Plate’ is constructed using reinforced porcelain, boasting three times the strength of regular ceramics, which brings an innovative solution for the challenges often associated with children’s tableware.

Five Key Features of ‘Nico Plate’

1. Ergonomically Designed for Easy Scooping
The plate has an overhanging edge and a sloped base that helps food collect easily for spoon use, minimizing spills. Notably, staff observed their 3-year-old, who usually demanded to be fed, starting to eat independently with the ‘Nico Plate’!

2. Durable and Economically Efficient
Thanks to its reinforced porcelain material, the plate has a much lower breakage rate, making it a cost-effective choice. Its special design also maximizes stacking efficiency without compromising stability, saving space in your kitchen.

3. Microwave and Dishwasher Safe
The plates can withstand microwave and dishwasher use without issues. They are highly resistant to acid and alkaline substances, maintaining their color and structure over time. Furthermore, they are free from harmful substances, ensuring hygienic use.

4. Timeless Design for All Ages
The colors and designs selected for the ‘Nico Plate’ grow with the child, from infancy to adulthood. Each plate complements daily dining, enriching each mealtime experience.

5. Practical Sizes for Different Stages
- Small Size: Perfect for feeding soft foods to infants; also doubles as a small bowl for side dishes.
- Large Size: Ideal for toddlers around age one learning to use a spoon, perfect for popular meals like fried rice and omelet rice.

Nurturing the Future of Dining

This project is a joint endeavor with an Arita-based trading firm, aiming to develop “child-friendly authentic tableware that nurtures future meals.” We start with two sizes of plates, planning to deliver the completed items to our supporters.

Crowdfunding Details:

• - Platform: CAMPFIRE
• - Campaign Duration: May 20, 2025 - June 20, 2025
• - Goal: ¥500,000
• - Use of Funds: Production costs, packaging development, and publicity expenses
• - Project Link: CAMPFIRE Project Page

About Takumi Co., Ltd.

Cooperation: Takumi Co.
Location: 80-19 Minamihara, Ariake, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga
Business: Planning, manufacturing, and selling Arita ware, custom product creation.

Takumi’s commitment to high-quality ceramics that reflect Japanese culture plays a central role in the creation of ‘Nico Plate.’ As we progress, we remain focused on evolving our traditions to adapt to modern tastes while striving to maintain the rich legacy of Japanese ceramic artistry.

Contact Information

For inquiries about the product or project, please reach out to Kobayashi Corp. Kyushu Division at:
Address: 501 Tenroku Bldg, 1-3-4 Omiya, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka
Phone: (092) 406-4657

For media inquiries, please contact our Tokyo office:
Address: 4F Hakka Bldg, 3-5-5 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Phone: (03) 5468-2357.