Past, Present & Future
Aritayaki was born about 400 years ago. It is said that Yi Sam-pyeong, a potter from Korea, found pottery stones in Izumiyama, Arita, and made it into a white and flawless porcelain which became the famous "Aritayaki" later on.
The orthodox ceramic craft aesthetics of Aritayaki is highly respected for long time. Pottery master of Aritayaki always adhere to traditional ceramic techniques and composition. As the center of Japan's porcelain ware industry, Arita Kiln is still very active today and keeps challenging the development of new styles by promoting the evolution of Aritayaki with both innovative styles and traditional techniques. While adhering to tradition and challenging new ideas, Aritayaki has immeasurable potential for future.
Koransha(香蘭社)
About 330 years ago when Genroku culture prevailed in the Edo period, the first generation of Fukagawa Eizaemon began to make porcelain in Arita which was the predecessor of Koransha. It was passed down to the eighth generation of Fukagawa Eizaemon who gathered a group of ceramic masters, artisans, porcelain traders to form Koransha officially.
In the Meiji era, Aritayaki works of Koransha gained its fame in the ceramic industry. The white, rigid and translucent porcelains were embellished with elegant dye and gorgeous paintings to present the artistic patterns. Koransha porcelains were honored in World Expo and won the Golden award from time to time. In 1896, the ceramic ware made by Koransha were certified by the Imperial Household Department of Japan as the porcelain for the royal family and it continues until today.
The brightly colored Aritayaki made by Koransha keeps pace with the time and its traditional aesthetics design called Koransha style is widely recognized and loved by the world collectors.
Ikeda Pottery
Clocks made of ceramics requires highly precise craftsmanship which fully reflects the excellent mastery of Ikeda Pottery.
The porcelain case of Aritayaki clock is made by Ikeda Pottery which is renowned for the refined design and fastidious drawings in ceramic industry. The distinctive value of Ikeda Ceramics lies in its attitude of carrying forward traditional skills and pursuing innovative styles constantly.
