FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - AND ANSWERS

GENERAL QUESTIONS

WHO IS BEHIND CERAMIKKU?

We are Ida and Mads – and a small, passionate team in Aarhus who love Japanese aesthetics and good craftsmanship. You can read more about us here .

WHAT DOES CERAMICS MEAN?

Seramikku is the Japanese word for ceramics – and that's exactly what we started with a love for. Today we also carry Japanese applied arts, books, tea sets and much more, but our heart still beats a little extra for ceramics.

WHAT DO I DO IF A PRODUCT IS SOLD OUT?

If you click on the product in the webshop, you can sign up to be notified as soon as it is back in stock. Many of our items come in small batches, so it pays to be quick.

You are also always welcome to contact us if you have questions about a specific product.

DO YOU SELL GIFT CARDS?

Yes, we offer gift cards that can be used both online and in our store in Aarhus. You can find them right here – and they will be sent directly to your email.

DO YOU HAVE DEALERS FOR YOUR PRODUCTS?

Yes, we have retailers of our posters, frames and notice boards from our own brand Taishō. Our other range is only sold through Seramikku – both online and in our store in Aarhus.

See an overview of our dealers here .

DO YOU OFFER GIFT WRAPPING?

We offer gift wrapping when purchasing or picking up at our physical store in Aarhus.

Unfortunately, we do not offer gift wrapping for webshop orders, but all products are always packaged carefully and neatly before shipping.

Ceramics

WHERE ARE YOUR CERAMICS PRODUCED?

Our ceramics come exclusively from Japanese manufacturers. Wooden products such as ramen bowls and chopsticks are manufactured in Vietnam but delivered through our Japanese partners. This way we ensure that all products meet both Japanese and European food safety requirements.

We select everything very carefully, with an eye for both quality and aesthetics.

CAN THE CERAMICS WITHSTAND THE DISHWASHER AND OVEN?

It is stated under each product what applies, as it can vary from product to product. Much of our ceramics can go in the dishwasher, but we always recommend gentle hand washing if you want to keep the glaze beautiful for many years.

ARE YOUR CERAMICS APPROVED FOR FOOD?

Yes, all of our ceramics are food-safe according to both Japanese and European standards.

We have documentation from our close Japanese partners and we have also had laboratory tests carried out ourselves.

We have annual inspections by the Danish Food Safety Authority and you can find our Smiley reports here .

NOTICE BOARDS & FRAMES

WHAT SIZES AND COLORS ARE YOUR NOTICE BOARDS AND FRAMES AVAILABLE IN?

Our notice boards come in four sizes: 50x70, 70x70, 70x100 and 100x120 cm – and can be hung both vertically and horizontally. They come in four different colours: Natural 'Shizen' , Brown 'Chairo' , Pink 'Momoiro' and Green 'Midori' . .

The frames are available in many sizes and colors, so you can find a frame that perfectly suits both the motif and style. See the full selection in the webshop.

WHAT DOES THE NOTICE BOARD MEAN UNDER THE HEARING FABRIC?

Underneath the linen fabric you will find a soft, robust wood fibreboard on which the fabric is mounted. The board is 100% PEFC certified, ensuring sustainable and responsible forestry.

I WANT SPECIAL MEASURES – WHAT DO I DO?

We do not make bulletin boards to special dimensions.

Would you like a frame in a special size? Write to us with your wishes at support@seramikku.dk and we will get back to you with options and prices.

WHAT DOES PINBODO MEAN?

Pinbōdo (ピンボード) functions in Japan as a loanword from the English 'pin board', which means 'bulletin board' in Danish.

HOW DO I BEST FIT ON MY MESSAGE BOARD?

Our bulletin boards are made from natural materials – solid oak and linen – and require very little care to stay looking good for a long time. Dust them with a dry cloth every now and then, and avoid hanging them in direct sunlight for long periods of time, as both wood and fabric can fade over time.

JAPANESE KITCHEN KNIVES

WHICH KNIFE SHOULD I CHOOSE?

When choosing a new knife, it can be difficult to figure out which one to pick. Most importantly in this context, you should ask yourself what function the knife should have. In other words: what will you use the knife for?

We have compiled an overview of all our knives and their functions, so hopefully you can gain a better understanding of which knife is right for you. Read the full overview here.

WHY CHOOSE A JAPANESE KNIFE?

A Japanese knife is a good choice if you want a tool that can last a lifetime. Our knives are hand-forged using traditional methods in Sakai City, which is highly renowned for the region's more than 600-year history in knife forging.

The solid craftsmanship reflects the quality of our knives, whose specifications include:

  • 17 layers of hammered damascus VG10 steel.
  • 60-62 HRC (Rockwell hardness scale). Western chef's knives typically have a hardness of 50-55, which means a softer, duller knife that needs to be sharpened more often.

The blade consists of 17 layers of hammered Damascus steel, which, in addition to being incredibly beautiful, has the property of protecting the core from rust and wear.

The core itself consists of hard VG10 steel, which was developed by Takefu Special Steel Co., Ltd. VG10 core steel consists of a composition of very pure raw materials, which provides exceptional qualities in terms of hardness, sharpness and wear resistance.

All in all, these knives are a solid tool that will certainly become your trusty companion in the kitchen. Cooking just gets a little more fun when the tool helps do the work for you. The knives have different properties, which you can read about here.

DOES IT MATTER WHERE MY KNIFE IS PRODUCED?

Yes, to a great extent. Genuine Japanese knives are the result of generations of perfected forging techniques, ensuring exceptional sharpness and durability. Unfortunately, there are many cheap copies on the market that are marketed as "Japanese" but are actually machine-made with, for example, laser-printed patterns instead of true folded steel.

At Seramikku, we import our knives directly from the traditional regions of Sakai and Seki. They are hand-forged by local masters, which is your guarantee of original Japanese craftsmanship of the highest quality, so you avoid "buying a pig in a poke".

Read the full guide on the importance of a knife's origin here.

HOW MANY LAYERS DOES A GOOD KNIFE HAVE?

More layers do not necessarily equate to a better and sharper knife.

The primary function of the layers is to protect the hard core steel. In addition, it naturally has aesthetic value.

Professional Japanese chefs always use knives with 3 layers. One hard core encased by 2 protective stainless steel layers.

Whether a Japanese Damascus knife has 9, 17, 67, or even 300 layers, is more a matter of aesthetics (and price) than an indication of sharpness, hardness, or overall quality.

Our Japanese knives have 17 layers of hammered Damascus VG10 steel, which provides high protection to the steel due to the many layers. Furthermore, the layers contribute to the knife's beautiful appearance.

WHAT DOES THE HRC SCALE MEAN?

The HRC scale is a unit of measurement for defining the hardness of a knife blade, developed by the international and renowned Rockwell.

The hardness of the steel is defined and graded, and parameters such as the quality and durability of the steel are also measured.

The scale serves as a good guideline when you are investing in a knife, as it can tell you where the knife in question is on the scale compared to other knives on the market.

Seramikkus Japanese knives are made of VG10 steel, which scores 60-62 HRC on the Rockwell scale. In comparison, a typical Western kitchen knife scores 50-55 HRC.

MATCHA

WHICH MATCHA SHOULD I CHOOSE?

We have three different types of matcha – all organic and high quality, but with slightly different flavor profiles and uses. Here you can see which one is best for you:

DAILY
Made from leaves from the 2nd and 3rd harvest, it has a strong, full-bodied flavor with a slight bitterness. Perfect for everyday use, especially in smoothies, lattes, baked goods and ice cream.

TRADITIONAL
A high-quality matcha from the 1st and 2nd harvest. It has a well-balanced bitter-sweet taste, a rich, creamy texture and a deep green color. A versatile matcha that is ideal for drinking alone as a classic tea, but also excellent in lattes, lemonades and smoothies.

PREMIUM
The highest quality and made from the finest, youngest leaves from the 1st harvest. It has a rich, sweet flavor, a silky, creamy texture and a beautiful, bright green color. This grade is often used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MATCHA?

Matcha is not just a beautiful green drink – it is full of good things for both body and mind. Because the tea is grown in the shade before harvesting and ground into a fine powder, it has an extra high content of antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids.

It provides a steady, long-lasting energy boost thanks to the interaction between caffeine and L-theanine – without the energy spikes you experience with coffee. L-theanine also helps you find calm and stay focused, while the antioxidants look after your body’s cells and can help strengthen your heart.

In short: a small cup of matcha can do a lot more than you might think.

IS YOUR MATCHA POWDER ORGANIC?

Yes, all of our matcha powder is organic.

Organic matcha not only provides a pure and natural taste, but also a beautiful green color and a high content of nutrients. In other words, it is a cup of tea you can drink with a clear conscience.

CAN I USE PREMIUM MATCHA FOR LATTE?

You can certainly do that – but premium is best enjoyed neat, as in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. If you’re making lattes, iced matcha or smoothies, daily or traditional are just as good a choice.

DELIVERY & RETURNS

HOW LONG IS YOUR DELIVERY TIME?

We usually ship within 1-2 business days. For bulletin boards, large frames and pre-orders, you can expect longer delivery times.

WHAT DOES SHIPPING COST?

Shipping is automatically calculated at checkout and depends on what you order. You can always see the price before paying.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MY ORDER?

Once we have shipped your package, you will receive an email with a tracking number so you can follow it all the way.

HOW DO I RETURN MY ORDER?

You can read our return policy right here , where you will also find a complete guide to your return.

PHYSICAL STORE

DO YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL STORE?

Yes – in the middle of the cozy, old cobblestone street Volden in Aarhus you will find our shop with Japanese ceramics, applied arts, posters and much more.

We look forward to seeing you at Volden 11, 8000 Aarhus C.

CAN I PICK UP MY ORDER IN STORE?

Yes, select “Pick up from store warehouse” at checkout – and we will notify you when your order is ready for pickup.

WHAT ARE THE STORE'S OPENING HOURS?

Monday-Friday : 10-17:30
Saturday : 11-16 (10-16 in November & December)
Sundays and public holidays : Closed

We look forward to seeing you!

Customer service

How do I contact you?

You can contact us by writing a message in the contact form here or sending us an email at support@seramikku.dk.

We are also available by phone on weekdays between 10 am and 4 pm. Call +45 93 94 22 62.

We will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.