Tozan ShrineTozan ShrineThis shrine, dedicated to Emperor Ojin, is located in Arita park and has been highly revered by ceramists since the Edo Era. The people of Arita are proud of the torii(a Shinto shrine archway) built in 1888, the balustrade of the sanctuary, the Komainu(stone statues of Chinese dogs) and basins which were added and dedicated later, all of which are porcelain.
Ri Sampei's (Korean Name Lee Cham-Pyung) monument lies on a little higher
place from the shrine, where you can command a fine view of Arita.
National Historic Spot....Izumiyama
Kaolin DepositThe Izumiyama quarry is located at the southern foot of Mt. Kurokami, which is 518 meters above sea level. This quarry is especially noteworthy because it is reported that porcelain production in Japan originated here with its discovery by the Korean ceramist, Ri Sampei (Korean Name Lee Cham-Pyung), who was naturalized as a Japanese citizen in 1616 and changed his name to Sampei Kanegae.
The quarry has been in continuous operation since its discovery in the
1620's. At present it yields about ten thousand tons of rock a year.
Around 1616, Kakiemon Sakaida moved from Shiroishi village in Kishima County to Nangawara in Arita with his father Ensai, and began to produce white porcelain. It is said he developed polychrome over glazing techniques, known as Akae around 1643. He is remembered as the originator of Kakiemon porcelain. Gradually, he refined his technique of over-glazing with delicate polychrome on the milk-white foundation called "Nigoshide". In this way, the original Kakiemon style was perfected. In 1971, Kakiemon was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property for his Nigoshide techniques.
In the age of feudalism, Iro-Nabeshima formed, low-fired, under-glazed and high-fired at Nabeshima Clan's Kiln was carried to Akae-machi in Arita and over-glazed in red, yellow and green colors by Nabeshima-Clan's Akae specialists.
Nabeshima Clan's was abolished in 1871. Of all the sixteen original "akae" specialists, Imaemon Imaizumi represents the only family that has survived with the complete Iro-Nabeshima techniques through the ages.
1971, the present Imaemon ceramist, who represents the 13th consecutive generation, was designated an important intangible Cultural Property for preserving the Nabeshima enameled porcelain techniques.
Kyushu Ceramic Museum (Saga Prefectural
Museum of Kyushu Ceramic Arts) This museum, opened in November 1980, was constructed for the purpose
of collecting and exhibiting porcelain, researching the history of local
kilns and spreading ceramic culture.
Arita Ceramic Art MuseumThis museum is located in the yard of the Arita Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is a two-story warehouse of stone in typical Japanese style.
In 1954, Arita opened this museum under the management of the town.
It has a wide variety of porcelain on display, including some of Arita's
first products, Ko-Imari(Old Imari porcelain),Kakiemon, and Imaemon.
Arita Folklore Museum There are many historical materials of Arita's porcelain heritage and
folk customs on display here. The Bureau was established to better inform
you about their cultural history.
Ri Sampei's MonumentRi Sampei (Korean Name Lee Cham-Pyung), called "the father of Aritayaki", discovered kaolin deposit at Izumiyama and succeeded in firing porcelain at Tengudani Kiln in Kami Shirakawa for the first time in Japan.
In 1916, the stone monument was built at Arita Park to celebrate the
300th anniversary of porcelain production in Arita.
Ceramic Pioneers' Monument This tombstone was set up to commemorate the 350th year of porcelain
production in Arita and to recount the achievements of outstanding ceramists
who dedicated themselves to the development and advancement of porcelain
in this area.
| General | Arita Tourist Board | （0955）42-4111 |
| Arita Tourist Information | （0955）43-3942 | |
| Arita Town Hall | （0955）43-2101 | |
| Arita Porcelain Hall | （0955）43-2121 | |
| Japan Travel Phone(toll free) | 0120-444800 | |
| Transportation | Arita Taxi Co., Ltd. | （0955）42-3131 |
| Saihi Taxi Co., Ltd. | （0955）43-3000 | |
| Arita Train Station | （0955）42-2820 |
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