Noritake: A Tableware Brand Worth Buying?

Noritake is a well-known tableware and technology company based in Nagoya, Japan. Founded in 1876 by Ichizaemon Morimura and his brother Toyo, the company initially sold Japanese antiques and other goods, including pottery, in New York. Over time, they shifted their focus to wholesale operations and began manufacturing Western-style chinaware and porcelain. Today, Noritake is considered a good brand, known for its high-quality, beautifully crafted, and affordable tableware. Their products are widely available through their website, as well as retailers like Wayfair, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Macy's. Noritake has also collaborated with brands like Qantas Airways and renowned chefs like Adam Liaw, further solidifying its reputation as a trusted and innovative brand in the tableware industry.

Noritake's first dinner set, Sedan, is over 100 years old

Noritake is a well-known brand of porcelain and china dinnerware. The company was established in 1876 by Japanese businessman Toyo Morimura and his brother, initially named Morimura Gumi. In 1904, key members of the company created Nippon Toki Kaisha, Ltd. and built a new factory in Noritake.

In 1914, the company created its first Western-style dinner set, named Sedan, to compete with European porcelain. This makes the Sedan set over 100 years old. The set consisted of austere white plates with a cream border of small flowers and the Noritake back stamp. The earliest-exported dinnerware sets were painted liberally with gold to match the European tastes of the time.

Noritake china is synonymous with the Nippon era of porcelain making. In 1891, the U.S. McKinley Tariff Act forbade importing items that weren't clearly marked in English. As a result, Noritake items were stamped with the word Nippon, meaning "Japan". When this word was declared to be of Chinese origin in 1921, it was replaced with the word "Japan" or the phrase "Made in Japan".

Noritake's first dinner set, Sedan, is a valuable antique today, with pieces available on Etsy and Invaluable. The set is highly rated by customers, with one review stating that the "set is still going strong" after many years. The Noritake brand is known for its quality and durability, with customers stating that they "cannot go wrong with this brand".

Noritake's products were hand-painted and decorated in gold

Noritake is a Japanese brand of porcelain and china known for its colourful, hand-painted patterns and gold detailing. The company was founded in 1876 by Japanese businessman Ichizaemon Morimura and his brother Toyo, who opened Morimura Brothers in New York City. Initially, the company sold Asian antiques and decorative arts and exported traditional Japanese wares. However, after a trip to the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889, Ichizaemon Morimura was inspired to create similar wares for the US market.

In 1904, Morimura opened a factory in Japan called Nippon Toki Kaisha Ltd. This allowed the brothers to control the quality and designs of their products, ensuring they aligned with American buyers' tastes. Each piece was hand-painted to ensure the highest quality, and these early, hand-painted patterns were produced in smaller quantities, making them some of the rarest and most valuable pieces today.

Noritake's most popular pattern, Azalea, was produced between 1915 and 1930 and featured painted pink flowers on a white background with gold detailing. The Azalea pattern was used on teapots, table sets, and children's pieces, and was sold through the Larkin Company catalog out of Buffalo, New York, helping to solidify Noritake's reputation in the United States.

Today, Noritake remains one of the largest manufacturers of china and porcelain, with production facilities worldwide. The brand is known for its high-quality, elegant designs, and its products continue to be sought after by collectors.

Noritake Co., Ltd. is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan

Noritake has a reputation for high-quality, durable products with elegant designs. Their tableware is known for its smooth glaze, even colour, and flawless finish. The brand offers a wide range of patterns and styles, from classic and timeless to modern and trendy.

One of their popular collections is the Noritake Crestwood Platinum set, which includes a 50-piece set and a 12-piece set. The Crestwood Platinum set features a simple yet elegant design with a platinum border, enhancing the overall look of the table setting. The set has received numerous positive reviews from customers, praising its quality, durability, and affordability.

In addition to their classic designs, Noritake also offers modern and colourful options, such as the Colorwave series. This range features dishes in various hues, from grey-black and cream to rainbow colours, catering to those who want to add a bold touch to their tableware.

Noritake's products are available through their official website and various home goods retailers worldwide, including Macy's, Wayfair, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Amazon. The brand often offers discounts and promotions, making their products even more accessible and affordable.

Overall, Noritake Co., Ltd. is a well-known and reputable tableware brand that offers a range of high-quality, elegant, and durable products at competitive prices. Their headquarters in Nagoya, Japan, oversees the company's operations and distribution, ensuring that customers worldwide can enjoy their beautiful and functional tableware.

Noritake's products are sold by home goods retailers like Wayfair and Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Noritake is a tableware and technology company that was founded in 1876 by Ichizaemon Morimura VI and his brother, Toyo. The company is headquartered in Nagoya, Japan, and is well-known for its beautifully crafted range of tableware and dinnerware.

Noritake's products are also available on e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Houzz. Reviews on Amazon for the Noritake Crestwood Platinum 50-piece set are overwhelmingly positive, with many customers praising the quality, durability, and elegant design of the products.

In addition to its online presence, Noritake products can be found in brick-and-mortar stores. For instance, Macy's offers an exclusive 12-piece Noritake dinnerware set that has received positive feedback from customers.

Noritake has a long history of providing high-quality tableware and has become a household name, especially for those looking for elegant and durable options. The brand is often associated with weddings and housewarming gifts, and its products are sought after by collectors worldwide.

Noritake's products are not limited to tableware and dinnerware. The company has expanded its offerings to include stainless flatware, crystal, and industrial products such as grinding wheels, ceramic powder, and vacuum fluorescent displays. This diversification of their product range has made Noritake a well-known and trusted brand in various industries.

Noritake is an official supplier to Qantas Airways

Noritake is a Japanese tableware company that manufactures a range of dinnerware, including plates, bowls, cups, and saucers. The company has been in operation since 1904 and has been an official inflight supplier to Qantas Airways for over 25 years.

Noritake's tableware for Qantas Airways was initially designed by Australian designer Marc Newson and later by Australian Industrial Designer David Caon. The collection features an elegant, futuristic design with fluid forms, a low profile, and fine lines. The bone china tableware is chip-resistant, dishwasher-safe, and microwave-safe.

The Noritake tableware collection for Qantas Airways initially included 9 pieces: plates, cups and saucers, bowls, a platter, and a teapot. Due to its popularity, Noritake expanded the collection to include additional pieces such as an espresso cup and saucer, a mug set, a sugar bowl and creamer set, and a serving bowl and platter.

The tableware collection reflects modern eating trends, with multi-bowls perfect for rice, noodles, pasta, or muesli. The design also minimizes straight lines, opting for an 800mm curve applied to each object to soften and humanize the aesthetic, creating continuity across the range and the aircraft.

Noritake's tableware for Qantas Airways is not just about style but also functionality and durability. The collection's weight was reduced by 11%, contributing to a significant fuel saving for the airline while maintaining the strength and durability that Noritake is known for.

Overall, Noritake's position as an official supplier to Qantas Airways showcases the brand's ability to combine elegance and functionality, durability, and attention to detail, making it a trusted choice for both the airline and consumers.

Frequently asked questions