Crafted to Inspire

100% Made in Japan  ·  100% Curation  ·  Kasahara, Tajimi

Crafted with Care. Created to Inspire.

100% Made in Japan
OEM/ODM Ceramic Tile Partner for Distributors Worldwide

For architects, designers, importers, and tile brands seeking more than a supplier: a Japanese co-creation partner built to deliver material character, production control, and confidence from concept to shipment.

Request samples  → How we work  ↓

Coverings 2026 glaze studies

The Art of Japanese Glazes

By combining different clays and glazes, each individual tile develops its own unique appearance.

Heko Japanese glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Heko

Born from extrusion, HEKO offers a rich, authentic ceramic character. Warm glazes, inspired by earth and wood, reveal the true depth of Japanese glazing craftsmanship.

Hikkaki Japanese glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Hikkaki

Extrusion gives HIKKAKI a pottery-like feel. Its rough surface adds bold depth and texture. Each tile features a unique, tactile finish, giving every installation a special richness.

Tanto glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Tanto

Named TANTO for “plenty”, these rare 6 cm tiles masterfully combine glazed and unglazed clay. Hand-glazed by artisans with exceptional care, they allow for endless installation patterns.

Tanto alternate glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Tanto

Named TANTO for “plenty”, these rare 6 cm tiles masterfully combine glazed and unglazed clay. Hand-glazed by artisans with exceptional care, they allow for endless installation patterns.

Concave Border L glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Concave Border L

CONCAVE BORDER L features a trendy concave surface with 14 exclusive Maruman colors. From bold solids to marbled glazes, it suits any space. Custom colors are also available.

Myo glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Myo

MYO is an extruded tile with the natural feel of hand-thrown pottery. Its subdued yet striking clay and glaze combination is a debut completely exclusive to Maruman.

Kimono glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Kimono

KIMONO reflects woven Japanese fabrics. Its lined surface recalls natural textiles. Arrange in diverse, multi-tone patterns for a quietly dramatic, contemporary appeal.

Finger Mosaic glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Finger Mosaic

FINGER MOSAIC’s earthy tones and rough texture add a natural ambiance. Because it is unglazed, the clay’s warm character is clearly visible. Slip-resistant and versatile, it suits any space.

Mars glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Mars

MARS, an otherworldly undulated tile, boasts a pleasing visual and tactile surface. Its extraterrestrial colors blend seamlessly with understated wabi-sabi and rich glaze tones.

Koyohen glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Koyohen

KOYOHEN’s petite square design beautifully portrays the irregular pattern of linen cloth, capturing the true wabi-sabi essence of time-treasured traditional Japanese textiles.

Kushu glaze tile close-up from Coverings 2026
Kushu

KUSHU features complex relief for a unique visual and tactile experience. Rich glazes create intricate valleys of light and dark, delivering the sought-after irregular look.

The origin of expression

A material story with a real place behind it.

Maruman Shokai works from Kasahara, Tajimi—Japan’s most concentrated ceramic communities. Here, knowledge of earth, glaze, heat, and hand assembly is carried through a network of specialists who make material decisions with the finished space in mind.

Natural clay material used in Japanese tile production
01Earth, with history.

Every surface begins with understanding the material — because great ceramic design starts long before the kiln.

Aerial view of Kasahara, Tajimi, Japan’s ceramic valley
02Kasahara, Tajimi.

A ceramic valley where specialised knowledge remains close at hand.

Inside the 1,300 degree Celsius tunnel kiln
03Inside the 1,300°C tunnel kiln.

Heat turns a design direction into an irreversible material expression.

Artisan hands working with mosaic tiles
04Human judgment, close to the material.

Important decisions remain tactile, visual, and deeply experienced.

Why material-led brands choose Maruman

Japanese Craftsmanship

01
Close view of fired mosaic tiles with natural surface texture

The alchemy of clay & fire

Character that can only emerge through glaze, heat, and time.

Carefully selected clay bodies, layered glazes, and high-temperature firing create natural tonal movement and mineral depth formed by the kiln itself. The result is not an image applied to a tile. It is character built into the material.

Real glaze. Real firing. Real material character.

02
Distinctive floral mosaic tile composition

Bespoke versatility & small batches

Designed for ambitious ideas—not only high-volume production.

Custom mosaic programs can begin from approximately 50 sqm, subject to format, glaze, and production requirements. We work through samples and prototypes until the material direction is clear—not until it is merely acceptable.

From first study to repeatable production, with room for the idea to evolve.

03
Mosaic tile surface arranged as a precision sheet

Zero-defect hand-assembled quality

A quality mindset built into every sheet—not added at the end.

At our in-house assembly operation, trained craftspeople inspect mosaic chips by sight and touch. A 10 mm sheet can contain as many as 576 individual pieces, each checked for placement, surface condition, and bond integrity.

576 pieces. One sheet. One uncompromising inspection standard.

Beyond replication

Working with Fire, Not Against It.

We embrace the beautiful unpredictability of the flame.

In an era of fast production, our tiles stacked high undergo a slow journey through a long tunnel kiln taking as long as 24 hours or more . Here, our artisans step aside and defer to a higher power—Every firing is an act of skill. Every result is an act of humility.

A designer may draft the initial vision, but the final, exquisite expression is decided by the movement of heat inside the kiln. The resulting natural color variations mean no two tiles are ever identical. To specify these tiles is to invite the living, breathing art of nature into architecture.

Flame and heat within a Japanese tile kiln

From glaze to delivery-ready sheet

Craft that remains visible in the finish—and dependable in the field.

A broad palette of ceramic glazes
Glaze directionColour with depth, not surface decoration.
In-house hand assembly area for mosaic tile sheets
Hand assemblyEach sheet is handled with care before it enters a project.
Quality inspection of Japanese mosaic tiles
Quality standardInspection is part of the making, not an afterthought.

A Japanese production partner since 1931

A more dependable way to create something distinctive.

Your design should not be limited by a factory’s standard catalogue—or exposed to the uncertainty of unmanaged production.

Maruman Shokai brings together the right specialists across Japan’s ceramic valley: clay-material experts, mold makers, glaze developers, firing partners, and experienced assemblers. Rather than simply passing specifications between factories, we take responsibility for aligning every stage around your project.

Our fabless model gives you the agility of a trusted production network and the clarity of one accountable partner. From the first sample study through hand assembly, inspection, and export preparation, we remain engaged in the details that protect your design intent.

Start a custom / ODM conversation  →
MARUMAN CONTROL MODEL01—04
  1. 01

    Select the right production network

    Clay bodies, molds, glazes, and firing capabilities are selected for the project—not the other way around.

  2. 02

    Develop and test together

    Prototypes are reviewed, refined, and approved before production begins.

  3. 03

    Control assembly and final inspection

    Mosaic sheets are hand assembled and inspected under Maruman Shokai’s own quality standards.

  4. 04

    Coordinate reliable delivery

    Project information, quantities, packaging, and shipping requirements are aligned before export.

For projects, private labels & distribution

Begin with a sample. Continue with a partnership.

Share the destination, estimated volume, and your design intent. We will use that information to understand the material direction, production requirements, sample needs, and shipping considerations before recommending the right path forward.

Distance should never create ambiguity.

Want to create your tiles?

Tell us about your market, customer base, and product strategy. We welcome conversations with design-led importers, tile brands, fabricators, and distribution partners seeking a differentiated Japanese collection.

Explore regular collections and available products  →

B2B inquiry gateway

Request a Sample

For qualified B2B projects and distribution inquiries. The more context you share, the more relevant our material recommendation can be.

    A sample is available for qualified professional inquiries. We will confirm the most suitable sample selection and shipping method based on your destination, project stage, and material requirements.

    Your inquiry will be handled by Maruman Shokai for project consultation, sample coordination, and B2B communication. We do not use your information for unrelated marketing purposes.

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