“Pygmalion Shokai” is located about 10 minutes on foot from “Imaike” subway station in Chikusa ward, Nagoya City.

The store is tucked away in a quiet residential area. The charm of this shop is that it offers a wide selection of Polish tableware. Today, we will introduce the charm of the store and the features of Polish tableware and how to enjoy them.

"Pygmalion Shokai" has a simple concrete building and a signboard inspired by Polish tableware. Launched an online shop in 2014 and opened a store in September 2015. Today, many fans from inside and outside the prefecture come to this store in search of Polish tableware.

When you walk into the store, you will find tens of thousands of different kinds of Polish tableware, including mugs, small plates, platters, and pots, lined up in a narrow space. The shop is so enjoyable that you will want to stay for a long time to see the differences in the expressions of each item.

Encounter with Polish tableware

Shizuko Ohashi, owner of Pygmalion Company. We asked her how she got the chance to open the shop.

– There are so many Polish dishes on display. Please tell us how you opened your shop.

Ms. Ohashi: "I've loved tableware since I was little. I loved both Japanese and Western tableware, but when I heard that my relatives were going on a business trip to Poland, I wondered what Poland was like. It was my encounter with Polish tableware.”

– In the past, Polish tableware was not a major brand, and there was no place in Japan that handled it.

Ms. Ohashi："That's right. At the time, almost no stores carried Polish tableware. I was so absorbed in the pop design and ease of use that about 5 or 6 years ago, I opened this store to introduce Polish tableware to more people.

Various shapes and patterns!
Approaching the charm of Polish tableware

– Please tell us about the characteristics of Polish tableware.

Ms. Ohashi："Polish tableware is made in Boleslawiec, a pottery town in southwestern Poland. Craftsmen hand-paint various patterns with stamps, so you can enjoy the differences in patterns and shapes. The rustic and warm shapes and patterns are also a feature of this product. The glaze is shiny as if coated with glass, making it stain-resistant and easy to remove."

– Pop and cute patterns are sure to brighten up your dining table!

Ms. Ohashi："Even for one piece of tableware, there are many different patterns and shapes, so it is fun to choose the right one. Polish tableware has a uniform color tone, so it goes well with Japanese tableware! Some customers say that the Polish tableware does not make the entire dining table look blurred."

– Is it OK to use dishwashers and microwave ovens?

Ms. Ohashi："The appeal of Polish tableware is that it can be used in ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers. The cute appearance of Polish tableware may make you think that it is delicate and will break easily, but the tableware itself is strong and can be used vigorously. It is both cute and practical!"

– With so many varieties, it can be hard to decide which one to buy!

Ms. Ohashi："Polish tableware is basically made to order, so we order a combination of shapes and patterns. There are tens of thousands of shapes and patterns, so there is a considerable amount of variation. I visit local workshops every year to place orders and discover new items.

Some customers say, "I want to unify my tableware with this pattern," or sometimes, "I came here today to buy this dish, but the other one is great too!"

– You are proposing various kinds of Polish tableware. Please tell us about the future prospects.

MS. Ohashi: "We have a very wide range of customers who purchase Polish tableware, from young people to people in their 80s. I am very happy to hear many customers say, 'Just by using Polish tableware, the entire dining table becomes more colorful and cheerful,' or 'I can have an exciting and enjoyable meal time'.

I also love simple tableware, but I think it is only Polish tableware that can brighten up the entire dining table. I would like to continue to offer you exciting and fun times through Polish tableware."