Toki city is where approximately 400 kilns line side by side and well known for producing Minoyaki pottery. LOLO CO. LTD, a Minoyaki wholesaler is situated in an area called, “Oribe Hills” with its main business focus being, coordinating the design and development of Minoyaki products.
Originally the company started in 1977 as a Manufacturer for lunch boxes and textile products but later the president, Hideo Hayakawa put his attention towards the local art, Minoyaki. At that time there was an increase in stores selling a wide variety of household products. Hayakawa commented, “The ceramic ware market was saturated so I just stock and sell these products as a wholesaler.”
It was an idea to pursue this trend and continue to design higher functional ceramic interior goods such as canisters for tea or coffee and soap dispensers.

The president Hayakawa commented, “The charm of Minoyaki is not only ceramic but also porcelain has its own warmth and soft feel because of the soil’s characteristic. Both the Minoyaki’s unique feeling and refined design was popular for interior goods which led to pioneering in household ceramic products.
In 2008 these products were launched and branded “Saliu®”, which comes from the word “Saryu” in Japanese which means the spirit of Tea. It also incorporates the concept of hospitality for those you cherish and for oneself. To enjoy the seasonal foods, and for stress free usage and make everyday life comfortable, there was no compromise in the design of the product. The products continued to be improved by using sample works at the workplace and home. For example, porcelain graters for grating spices used in Japanese dishes, were designed to be compact, convenient for storage and to grate spices just enough as needed to enjoy freshly grated spices to put on the tabletop.
Many customers support the design which is produced with the consumer experience in mind.

Another key aspect in designing products was the selection of potters. LOLO CO.,LTD. does not own a factory but rather outsource. So it is important to determine which products to entrust to which potter. There are potters who specialize in unique technique such as High Compression mold or “Gaba” molding, or those who specialize in making beautiful engravings. With the trust built in the many years of work and understanding the history and knowing what type of pottery is made by each potter, each work is entrusted to the best fit potter for that certain product. “By researching each potter, their charm shines brightly. Drawing out each potter’s skills, fascinating things can be made