Terracotta, from Japan

Handcrafted in Japan, curated by ARTO

Order a Sample
Size
5-1/2 x 7-1/2 Inch
Thickness
15mm, About 5/8 Inch
Colors
Three, Glazed By Hand
Made In
Japan

Why Japanese Terracotta

A collection born from respect

Japanese design has shaped ARTO's work for years. It is in the clean lines and geometry across our concrete and ceramic collections: balance, simplicity, and respect for natural materials.

We are a factory of makers in Gardena, California. We know what tile made by hand takes: the skill passed down, the patience, the pride in something built to last.

Curated by ARTO

"Handcrafted in Japan. Curated by ARTO. Built for a lifetime."

We see the same craft in the tile makers of Japan, people who honor their materials and their traditions in every piece. This collection is our way of recognizing the artisans whose hands shape these tiles, and the values their workshops share with ours.

The surface

No two tiles alike

The glaze is applied to each tile by hand in Japan. Metallic sheens shift through the day, color moves from one piece to the next, and every face carries its own texture.

The variation is not a flaw. It is the mark of tile glazed by hand, and it means no two installations ever come out the same.

Shade variation
V4, high
Order extra
10 to 15 percent, for cuts and waste
  • All three on one wall: Kuro, Kogecha and Suna
  • Kuro, on a courtyard floor

Three colors

Three colors, endless combinations

Kuro, Kogecha and Suna. One size, one thickness, each tile glazed by hand. Lay one alone, or blend all three.

Kuro, black-grey

Kuro means black in Japanese. Black-grey tones with striking metallic highlights, for contemporary spaces.

Think modern feature walls, entryways and minimalist courtyards.

Order Sample Explore Kuro

Kogecha, taupe to brown

A traditional Japanese color, and the most versatile of the three: neutral tones from warm taupe to a rich dark brown.

Equally at home in traditional and contemporary settings.

Pairs with Clara Tierra Madre in Pearl. Explore Clara

Order Sample Explore Kogecha

Suna, cream to copper

The lightest of the three, ranging from pale cream to rich copper and bronze.

Its luminous quality suits spaces that should feel inviting: outdoor patios, garden courtyards and feature walls.

Order Sample Explore Suna

Applications

Hearth to driveway

Floors and walls, indoors and out, residential and commercial. Pavements and driveways, in climates that freeze and thaw.

  • Walls
  • Floors
  • Indoor
  • Outdoor
  • Pedestrian
  • Vehicular
  • Freeze / Thaw
Size
5-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches
Thickness
15mm, about 5/8 inch
Grout joint
3/8 inch, recommended
Shade variation
V4, high
Care
Mild detergent, no harsh chemicals
Explore the Collection

The material

Built to outlast the install

The craft is in the maker's hands. The performance is in the firing, at high temperature in Japan. ARTO publishes CSI 3-Part specifications and installation guides so architects and designers can specify with confidence.

  • The mix

    Japanese Terracotta

    Handcrafted in Japan and fired at high temperature. Every piece is 5-1/2 x 7-1/2 inches and 15mm thick, about 5/8 inch.

  • The color

    Three Colorways

    Kuro, Kogecha and Suna, each glazed by hand, so color, sheen and texture move from piece to piece. Shade variation V4, high. Order 10 to 15 percent extra.

  • The documentation

    Specs and Downloads

    Recommended grout joint 3/8 inch. Standard tile care with a mild detergent; avoid harsh chemicals.

  • The application

    Interior and Exterior

    Walls and floors, indoors and out, residential and commercial, including pavements and driveways. Suitable for climates that freeze and thaw.

  • The industry

    Industry Standards

    Member of TCNA, NTCA, and CTDA. Custom products are available with project-specific testing on request.

  • The decision

    Sampling

    Always order a sample before you commit. What you see on a screen is not what your hand will know in the room. Samples ship from our Gardena facility.

Material truth

Rustic Elegance

Rough and refined at the same time. A handcrafted edge where no two pieces are exactly alike. Glazed by hand in Japan, in three colors that move with the light.

It is not a marketing phrase. It is a material truth. Far from perfect, and that is the whole point.