Arita Ceramics: a History of Beauty and Influence

The History of Arita Ceramics and Its Influence on European Arts

Located in Fukuoka, Kyushu, our base is near Arita, one of Japan's most renowned ceramic centers, just a two-hour drive from Fukuoka. Arita is celebrated worldwide for its exquisite tea cups and porcelain, known for their high quality and craftsmanship, often referred to as yakimono in Japanese. We proudly feature a selection of beautiful handmade Arita ceramics.

The story of Arita ceramics—home to the famous Ko-Imari porcelain (also known as "Imari" porcelain)—began with the introduction of porcelain production to Japan through Korea. In the late 16th century, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the political ruler of Japan at that time, invaded Korea. Upon his army’s retreat, several of the participating feudal lords brought Korean potters back to Japan. One of these potters, Ri Sampei (also known as Lee Charn-Pyung), discovered kaolin in Izumiyama, Arita, and began producing Japan’s first fine white porcelain.

These potters settled in Arita, became naturalized citizens of Japan, and began creating porcelain with a unique Japanese aesthetic—distinct from the original Korean designs. Over time, Arita porcelain was further influenced by Indian and Persian motifs, likely introduced to Japan via the Silk Road.

In the early 17th century, Holland began ordering large quantities of Arita porcelain through the trading port of Dejima in Nagasaki Harbor, the only link between Japan and Europe. For 250 years, the Dutch East India Company ships carried Arita porcelains to Europe, where they were adored for their delicate beauty, symbolizing the exotic "Orient". This trade route became known as the "Ceramic Road on the Sea."

European nobility and royalty were eager to acquire Arita porcelain. For instance, members of the Hapsburg, Bourbon, and Hanover families valued Arita porcelain above gold and silver. Augustus the First, King of Saxony in Germany, was a particularly passionate collector. He even built a ceramic museum with a Japanese-style exterior and interior to house his collection, which can still be seen at the Dresden Art Museum, where over a thousand pieces of Ko-Imari porcelain are on display, along with more than 200 examples of Kakiernon porcelain.

Augustus the First also founded a ceramic factory in Meissen, Germany, marking the birthplace of porcelain manufacturing in Europe. This sparked the European embrace of Arita porcelain patterns, which went on to influence European artistic movements, from Baroque to Rococo.

Arita porcelain is classified into four main styles.

The first, "Gosho-Style", was exclusively created for the Japanese Emperor. This style remained largely unknown to the public until recently, having been academically recognized just a few years ago.

The second, "Nabeshima-Style", was produced in specialized kilns and was reserved for the feudal domain of Nabeshima, where it was presented as gifts to generals and feudal lords.

One prominent representative of Nabeshima-style porcelain painters is the Imaemon House.