Burleigh had the honour of welcoming a very special guest to our home at Middleport Pottery—the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Mr Hiroshi Suzuki.
The Ambassador was in the area visiting Keele University, which holds one of the UK’s most impressive national collections of cherry blossom trees. From there, he made his way to Middleport to spend time at the Clay College, which proudly hosts a number of Japanese students learning the art of ceramics. Despite his busy schedule, he kindly made time to visit the Burleigh Factory Shop, where he was warmly greeted by our Brand Manager and company historian, Jemma Baskeyfield.
Jemma took Ambassador Suzuki on a whistle-stop tour of the Burleigh factory, giving him a glimpse into the historic processes we still use today to create our ware. At the heart of the tour was the transferring shop, where Burleigh’s signature tissue transfer technique brings our intricate patterns to life.
During the visit, the Ambassador met Michael—our first male apprentice—and Jackie, one of our most experienced transferers. Michael was in the process of decorating a teapot when the Ambassador was invited to try his hand at the skilled craft. With steady hands, he applied a backstamp to the base of the piece, officially becoming part of the Burleigh making process.
The teapot then made its way to the other end of the room, where Carole, one of our expert 'washers', demonstrated the final step of the transfer technique—the delicate process of washing away the fine tissue paper, leaving only the printed decoration behind. Upon inspection, the Ambassador’s handiwork was declared “an excellent first attempt”, though Carole joked that several years of further practice would be required to truly master the skill! Sadly, we suspect the rigorous training programme at Burleigh may not fit into a diplomatic schedule…
Ambassador Suzuki has become a well-known and much-admired figure in the UK, thanks in part to his engaging presence on social media, where he shares his enthusiasm for English, Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish culture. His visit to Burleigh is another example of his genuine curiosity and passion for the traditions that shape the UK’s identity.
A Meaningful Connection
Receiving an ambassadorial visit is always a great honour, but a visit from the Japanese Embassy holds particular significance for Burleigh. In recent decades, the Japanese people have played a vital role in the continued success of Burleigh pottery. Japan has become one of our most important export markets, thanks to a dedicated distributor and a loyal customer base who appreciate the craftsmanship, heritage, and charm of Burleigh ware.
Each year, many Japanese visitors travel to our factory shop in Stoke-on-Trent—some making the journey from Japan for the express purpose of visiting Burleigh. As Brand Manager Jemma Baskeyfield said:
“Burleigh has been exporting globally since 1851, but Japan became a particularly important market over the last 30 years. We must also remember the many Japanese nationals who live in the UK and support our brand. To welcome the Japanese Ambassador is one of the greatest honours we could receive.”
The teapot signed by Ambassador Suzuki will be proudly displayed in the Factory Shop from 29th April, in time for Golden Week, a series of Japanese national holidays. As always, we will be marking the occasion with special offers and a sample sale in-store—so it’s the perfect time to visit.
We thank His Excellency for his visit, his curiosity, and his kind spirit. The memory of the day will remain part of the Burleigh story for years to come.