3D Printing Merges Traditional Japanese Pottery with Modern Innovation: Modular Porcelain Cups
In the heart of Ureshino City, a region famed for its tea culture and hot springs, lies the studio of 224 Porcelain. This esteemed ceramics studio has recently collaborated with designer Kosuke Takahashi to create the Corcelain collection, a groundbreaking modular porcelain system that marries traditional Japanese porcelain craftsmanship with contemporary 3D printing technology.
The Corcelain collection is a testament to the fusion of old and new, as it presents porcelain cup bases with precision-engineered threaded holes designed to accept a variety of 3D-printed components such as feet, handles, lids, and decorative elements. This modular approach empowers users to customise and personalise their cups, making each vessel dynamic and user-defined rather than static or fixed.
224 Porcelain, rooted in the rich Hizen-Yoshidayaki tradition, brings centuries of ceramic craftsmanship to the table. Founded by ceramist Satoshi Tsuji in 2012, the studio combines traditional porcelain production methods with contemporary design interpretations. On the other hand, Kosuke Takahashi, a designer with a technology-driven design perspective, focuses on digital fabrication and innovation.
Together, this collaboration embodies a bridge between heritage and innovation. The porcelain cups honour longstanding artisanal methods, while the 3D-printed modular attachments utilise modern digital manufacturing techniques. This system encourages user participation in the design process, inviting consumers to develop their own 3D attachments, thereby actively engaging with both the product and its cultural legacy.
Key features of the Corcelain collection include porcelain cup bases in multiple shapes, each featuring a standardised threaded hole for attachments. The 3D-printed modular components screw into the cup base, enabling endless customisation and functionality shifts - transforming a cup into a flower pot or toy, for example. The collection also integrates traditional ceramic expertise from 224 Porcelain with advanced digital design and precision engineering introduced by Takahashi.
Moreover, the Corcelain collection supports sustainable consumption through adaptive reuse of a single ceramic base enhanced over time with new 3D-printed parts, reducing waste.
In essence, the Corcelain collection represents a novel synthesis of Japanese porcelain artistry and cutting-edge 3D printing, transforming traditional vessels into versatile, interactive design platforms that celebrate both craft heritage and modern technological creativity.
The Corcelain collection, a unique modular porcelain system, serves as a fusion of tradition and innovation, showcasing customizable cups that integrate 3D-printed components. This collaborative project between 224 Porcelain and designer Kosuke Takahashi encourages consumers to actively engage with both the product and its cultural legacy.
Taking place amidst renowned events in Ureshino City, the unveiling of Corcelain highlights the potential of technology in breathing new life into traditional craftsmanship, thereby setting a stage for future innovation in porcelain design.
