About 1 and hour local train ride from my hometown Fukuoka, during which we enjoyed such beautiful scenery from the window, one side blue ocean, the other green rice paddies. we arrived at a small no-man's station, Nijinomatubara.
Then just a 15 min walk led us to this small Arita yaki porcelain studio, Kyozan Kiln.
Arita yaki is known as one of the most famous porcelain styles, not only in Japan but also around the world.
This small town, Arita, is located in northern part of Kyusyu island, Saga prefecture. (what a name!)
Back in 17th century, when Hideyoshi Toyotomi, then a ruler of Japan, invaded Korea.
When their forces withdrew, they brought back some potters from Korea, and some settled in this part of Japan.
One of the potters, Yi Sam-pyeong, or Kanagae Sanpei in Japanese, discovered Kaolin clay in a mountain in Arita, and produced the first fine white porcelain in Japan.
Later, some Korean and Japanese potters, influenced by Chinese, Indian, and even Persian patterns, developed this unique style now known as Arita yaki.
Inside this small traditional Japanese style warehouse was a store to sell beautiful ceramics, as well as exhibition and a little traditional tea room.
It was one of the busiest days for the master potter, Mr.Inoue, who was preparing for the major firing for the next few days.
We were totally happy just to see all these beautiful works of his on display, but when he heard that we were visiting all the way from New York, he took a little break and kindly gave us a tour in the whole pottery studio!
He explained how in this studio, he only uses local wood for firing.
He also let us get into the kiln so we could see what it's like the inside.
He told us the basic process, and his unique style, which was inherited from his own father, who had just passed away a few months earlier.
We learned that Mr. Inoue is also a tea master himself, so he sometimes makes tea in his own tea cup for guests in the tea room.
Though Arita Yaki is known for its colorful and elaborate pattern, his works seem very simple, and even rough.
Then just a 15 min walk led us to this small Arita yaki porcelain studio, Kyozan Kiln.
Arita yaki is known as one of the most famous porcelain styles, not only in Japan but also around the world.
This small town, Arita, is located in northern part of Kyusyu island, Saga prefecture. (what a name!)
Back in 17th century, when Hideyoshi Toyotomi, then a ruler of Japan, invaded Korea.
When their forces withdrew, they brought back some potters from Korea, and some settled in this part of Japan.
One of the potters, Yi Sam-pyeong, or Kanagae Sanpei in Japanese, discovered Kaolin clay in a mountain in Arita, and produced the first fine white porcelain in Japan.
Later, some Korean and Japanese potters, influenced by Chinese, Indian, and even Persian patterns, developed this unique style now known as Arita yaki.
Inside this small traditional Japanese style warehouse was a store to sell beautiful ceramics, as well as exhibition and a little traditional tea room.
It was one of the busiest days for the master potter, Mr.Inoue, who was preparing for the major firing for the next few days.
We were totally happy just to see all these beautiful works of his on display, but when he heard that we were visiting all the way from New York, he took a little break and kindly gave us a tour in the whole pottery studio!
He explained how in this studio, he only uses local wood for firing.
He also let us get into the kiln so we could see what it's like the inside.
He told us the basic process, and his unique style, which was inherited from his own father, who had just passed away a few months earlier.
We learned that Mr. Inoue is also a tea master himself, so he sometimes makes tea in his own tea cup for guests in the tea room.
Though Arita Yaki is known for its colorful and elaborate pattern, his works seem very simple, and even rough.