ARITAARITA
uring feudal times (the l7th through the
19th centuries), Japan, surrounded by the sea, practiced self-isolationism
by excluding all foreigners from her shores. Only one small window was open.
It was Nagasaki, where a small settlement called Dejima was provided for
a few Dutch and Chinese who were engaged in licensed trade. It was too minor
both in quantity and in quarity to influence Japanese life style and culture.
It can be said that Japan was an orphan, isolated from international cultural
intercourse for 300 years. Under such circumstances, Arita was a rare exception.
This small village was surrounded by mountains and located on Kyushu Island,
far from Edo, the political capital at that time, later renamed Tokyo. Yet
Arita was tied closely to far-off European countries. The tradition of Arita
is said to be adopting foreign culture, refining it, and creating a unique
beauty.
he history of Arita, where the world-famous
'Ko-Imari' was produced, began with the introduction
of the techniques from Korea. In the end of the 16th century, Hideyoshi
Toyotomi, the political ruler of Japan at that time, invaded Korea. When
his armed forces withdrew from Korea, some of the feudal lords who participated
in the campaign under Hideyoshi brought a number of Korean potters back
to Japan. Among these potters was Ri Sampei(Korean Name Lee Cham-Pyung).
He discovered Kaolin in Arita and produced fine white porcelain for the
first time in Japan. Soon the potters settled down in Arita and became naturalized
citizens of Japan. They created fine white porcelain with a unique Japanese
beauty, different from the Korean originals. During its refining process,
Arita porcelain was influenced by the products of Keitokuching, the Chinese
national kiln at that time, and also by the Indian and Persian patterns
which seem to have been introduced to Japan through the Silk Road.
rom the beginning of the l7th century,
Holland continually ordered a large amount of Arita porcelain through Dejima
in Nagasaki. For 250 years the trading ships of the Dutch East India Company
carried Arita porcelain with its delicate beauty of the Orient to Europe.
The course of their ships can be called the "Ceramic Road on the Sea".
Princes and noblemen of Europe at that time were eager to obtain Arita porcelain.
Arita porcelain was valued above gold and silver by members of the Hapsburg
family, the Bourbon family, the Hanover family and other famous families
who were fascinated by this beautiful porcelain. August the First, the king
of Saxony in Germany, was a fanatical collector. He built a ceramic museum
with a Japanese style exterior and interior. You can see some of his magnificent
collection at the Dresden Art Museum which has over a thousand articles
of 'Ko-Imari', porcelain and over 200 examples
of 'Kakiemon'. August the First also built a
ceramic factory in Meissen, which was the origin of porcelain manufacturing
which we now find in many places in Europe. Thus the various patterns of
Arita porcelain greatly influenced European arts, from baroque to rococo.
he people of Arita not only exported porcelain to Europe
but also carefully studied the artistic style of Europe as introduced through
Dejima.
In Arita's porcelain, therefore, we find various
nuances of the culture and tradition of both Asia and Europe. By the end
of the l9th century, Japanese feudalism had collapsed and the modern constitutional
monarchy had been established. Arita porcelain was exhibited at the international
fair in Paris and won high praise. In introducing the wonder of Japanese
culture to all over the world, the Arita porcelain exhibition was; so to
speak, a symbol of the new Japan.
hat was a hundred years a go.
Today the 2lst century is just around the corner. Kakiemon, Imaemon
and other young Arita potters are proud of their 400-year-old tradition
and the techniques they have retained. And still they are striving to produce
even more modern articles day by day. If you visit this small town surrounded
by mountains and find a dish with a pattern of birds playing among the flowers,
no matter where you come from, it may remind you of something familiar in
Europe, for the artistic style and tradition of European porcelain has been
preserved here since its arrival in olden times.
s we learned from Mr. Gottfried Wagner 300 years ago,
we, people in Arita, want to learn from you now. Arita porcelain has 400
years history of proud tradition. Its beauty cannot be separated from the
natural landscape of this small village surrounded by mountains. The sky,
the trees rustling in the wind and a sense of local pride contribute to
the charm of Arita porcelain. But the people in Arita are not satisfied
with existing conditions. We are expecting much from the future. We are
standing firm in this town, pursuing something new and even more beautiful,
as we have done for 400 years. We are proud of our porcelain and would like
to hear your opinion of it. We sincerely want to learn from you. We leave
our good faith for the people of the world in these pieces of porcelain
produced in Arita.
Promotion of international exchange in Arita
Arita has engaged itself in international exchange through concluding a sistercity agreement with the German town of Meisen and friendship agreements with the city of Jingdezhen in the P.R. of China and the "Korean Association for the Promotion of Ceramics".
Porcelain originated in China and was first brought to Japan via the Korean Peninsula. As a result of Arita Porcelain being exported to far-away Europe, people there got interested in its production and established Europe's first kiln in Meisen. Therefore, Arita's international exchange has a long history, taking its roots in porcelain trade. Today, however, Arita is striving to-wards true international friendship. Youth exchange, homestay programs and other activities on a grassroot level take place on a regular basis.