Stylish Old Imari – Pottery Designed to Edo Tastes

The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park

This event has ended.

The first porcelain to be fired in Japan, Old Imari ware originated about 400 years ago in Hizen Arita (present-day Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga Prefecture). At first the use of porcelain ware was restricted to the upper classes, but in the 19th century it spread to common people, particularly in the cities. At the same time, the Genroku culture that originated in Kyoto and Osaka reached Edo in the 19th century. A free and flamboyant culture of the common class, exemplified by kabuki and ukiyo-e, came into vogue with people enjoying the “stylish” Edo culture. It was in this period that the basics of modern Japanese cuisine were established, giving rise to a variety of pottery, not only for daily life but as accoutrements for more ostentatious parties as well. In this exhibition introduced to the public for the first time are a collection of old Imari ware, focusing on the stylish ware favored by the people of Edo and the surprising world of design to be found there.

[Related Events]

Gallery Talk (Japanese only)
Date: Oct.15 (Sun) and Nov.12 (Sun) From 13:30 (Duration approx 1 hour)

Children’s Workshop “Designing Modern Japanese Tableware”
Date: Oct.21 (Sat) From 10:00 - 15:00
Adults: ¥2,010, Infants to University Students ¥1,000

Please refer to the official site for further details.