The perfect size, taking shape
Time flies, and it's already July.
The sunlight is getting stronger day by day, and we've had a stretch of days where you break a sweat just walking to the station.
Even as I'm worn out by the heat outside, this season brings a quiet comfort, drinking cold tea in an air-conditioned room or feeling the air cool down a bit in the evening.
Perhaps because the heat is a little tiring, I feel the preciousness of everyday moments spent at home more deeply than usual.
At the beginning of such a July, a new medium size has joined the "marais" tableware collection.
This series has a quiet presence, not too prominent, but definitely there.
Until now, I had been using two types: the small size, perfect for side dishes, and the large size, which can also be used as a single plate. But actually, I had always felt, "I wish there was a size in between these two."
＞Click here for an introduction to Yamagen Touen x Amenoié's "marais" collection
marais lunch plate
Until now, "marais" was produced by Yamagen Touen in two sizes: small and large.
The small size is perfect for serving small portions of side dishes or sweets.
The large size, on the other hand, is just right for dishes you want to serve generously, such as pasta or one-plate meals.
However, sometimes in my daily meals, I would suddenly think, "I wish I had an in-between size."
The small was a little insufficient, and the large had a bit too much space.
There were surprisingly many situations where I wished for such a "medium-sized plate."
For example, when serving cut fruit, or arranging side dishes for 2-3 people.
Or for a small salad, or a breakfast plate with various toppings.
Not too big, not too small.
What if there was a size that kept its subtle presence but expanded its range of uses a bit more?
This thought led to the birth of this medium size.
When Yamagen Touen contacted me saying, "It's a perfect size!" and I actually held it in my hands, I immediately understood.
The feeling that it seamlessly blended with my usual cooking made me think, "Yes, this was it after all."
Tableware that plays a vibrant melody
Just last weekend, my partner and I had a taco party.
Corn tortillas, spiced chicken, avocado, tomatoes, jalapeños, cilantro, and lime.
Arranging the colorful ingredients on the plates and rolling them up by hand made for a lively, summery moment.
Dishes rich in spices and herbs are visually vibrant and fun, but sometimes they can be difficult to pair with tableware.
However, this medium-sized marais plate had a不思議な presence that firmly embraced the colorful ingredients while somehow bringing them together into a calm impression.
I feel that this is a piece of tableware with enough negative space to beautifully enhance the colors of the food with its pale, muted tones, and evoke a sense of exotic atmosphere.
A form where beauty and function coexist
The medium size has a slightly shallow form yet a wide design, making it very easy to use.
It can safely hold slightly moist items like taco ingredients, and it's also the perfect size for serving salads, cut fruit, or sandwiches.
I find myself reaching for it naturally at any time of day or night.
Moreover, it is compatible with microwaves, ovens, and dishwashers.
Although it looks delicate, it's very reliable in use, and I appreciate that I can use it without hesitation even in a busy daily life.
It also stacks neatly with other sizes, which is helpful for storage.
It seamlessly blends into everyday life, and before you know it, it's become a part of the scenery.
I feel that this marais series quietly fulfills the ideal of such tableware.
A reliable plate you unconsciously choose
While the plate itself isn't overtly striking, I love how marais somehow brings a sense of calm to the dining table.
The name "marais" means "wetland" or "marsh" in French.
Its charm lies in its ambiguous and delicate colors, like a moment captured from nature: the color of damp earth, the gentle gray of a cloudy sky, the tranquility of a shady spot.
In the heat, just to feel a little cooler.
It brings a sense of a breeze blowing through the dining table. This is the kind of tableware that helps me almost every day.
As the seasons turn and the dining landscape gradually changes,
I feel that this medium-sized marais plate will surely become an important presence as tableware that gently accompanies me and makes me feel "easy and convenient to use" every time I use it.
Today, too, I find myself reaching for this plate naturally.
