Saga & Nagasaki’s Porcelain Culture – History, Craftsmanship, and Global Influence

Introduction

The Hizen region, stretching across northern Saga and Nagasaki prefectures, is known as the birthplace of Japan’s porcelain industry. For over 400 years, it has produced works of exceptional quality that have been admired both in Japan and overseas.
Among its most famous wares are Arita-yaki, Imari-yaki, Karatsu-yaki, and Hasami-yaki – each a traditional craft nurtured in this area.

Porcelain making flourished here thanks to several combined factors: the arrival of advanced pottery techniques from Korea, the discovery of high-quality porcelain stone, protective policies by local feudal lords, and the opportunities created by international trade through Nagasaki’s Dejima island.

This article explores the history, technical features, and global connections of Hizen porcelain, revealing the depth of Japan’s ceramic culture and its worldwide appeal.

Shared Background of Hizen Pottery

Korean Potters and Their Skills
At the end of the 16th century, during the Bunroku and Keichō campaigns (1592–1598), many Korean potters were brought to Hizen. They introduced advanced porcelain-making techniques previously unknown in Japan, marking the starting point of the region’s porcelain industry.

Discovery of Izumiyama Porcelain Stone
Around 1616, the Korean potter Yi Sam-pyeong discovered high-quality porcelain stone in Arita, Saga Prefecture. This led to the first full-scale porcelain production in Japan. The fine, translucent white body astonished people at the time and opened a new chapter in Japanese ceramics.

Protection by the Nabeshima Domain
The Saga (Nabeshima) Domain treated porcelain as an important national asset, protecting and training skilled artisans. Notably, Nabeshima ware was made in official kilns exclusively for the domain, and was used as gifts for the shogunate and foreign dignitaries.

Exports via Dejima
During the Edo period, Nagasaki’s Dejima was Japan’s only official window for overseas trade. Porcelain from Hizen was exported from here to the Netherlands, China, and beyond. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) played a key role, importing large quantities of Arita and Imari ware to Europe, especially when Chinese porcelain exports were disrupted.

Major Types of Hizen Porcelain

Ware Main Production Area History & Origin Key Features
Arita-yaki Arita, Saga Prefecture Began in 1616 after discovery of Izumiyama porcelain stone White porcelain, cobalt blue underglaze, colourful overglaze enamels, gold decoration
Imari-yaki Imari, Saga Prefecture Name from Imari port, used for exports of Arita ware Luxurious “Kinrande” style with red, gold, and intricate patterns
Karatsu-yaki Karatsu, Saga Prefecture Started in late 16th century, linked to tea culture Natural ash glazes, simple earthy beauty
Hasami-yaki Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture Once subcontracted for Arita ware production Practical, simple designs; modern Scandinavian-style patterns

Arita-yaki (Arita, Saga Prefecture)

Origins and History
Arita-yaki is Japan’s oldest porcelain, beginning around 1616 with Yi Sam-pyeong’s discovery of porcelain stone at Izumiyama. Its pure white body and cobalt-blue underglaze painting (called sometsuke) are iconic, often complemented by vivid overglaze enamels in red, green, yellow, purple, and blue.

Initially known as “Imari ware” or “Hizen ware” during the Edo period, it became widely recognised as “Arita-yaki” from the Meiji era onwards. It can be broadly divided into three styles:

  • Ko-Imari – early export pieces with blue-and-white designs and rich decoration

  • Kakiemon – elegant coloured porcelain developed in the mid-17th century, known for refined patterns and soft colours

  • Nabeshima – high-class porcelain made under strict control of the Nabeshima Domain

Techniques and Decoration
Arita-yaki is admired for its white, lustrous porcelain body, deep blue underglaze painting, and richly coloured overglaze enamels with gold. The Kinrande style, lavishly decorated with gold, was especially popular in Europe, resonating with Baroque aesthetics. Designs often feature flowers, birds, landscapes, and geometric motifs.

Global Connections
When civil unrest disrupted porcelain production in Jingdezhen, China, during the mid-17th century, European trading companies turned to Arita. Exported via Nagasaki’s Dejima, these wares – known abroad as “Imari” – became prized possessions among European royalty and nobility.
Arita’s designs influenced major European porcelain makers, such as Meissen in Germany and Chantilly in France.
In the 19th century, during the Japonisme movement, Arita’s colours and patterns inspired Western art and design, influencing Impressionism and Art Nouveau. Today, Arita continues to collaborate with international designers and exhibits at major global shows.

Imari-yaki (Imari, Saga Prefecture)

Name and History
Originally, “Imari-yaki” referred to porcelain from the Hizen region, including Arita ware, shipped from Imari Port. In the 17th–18th centuries, these exports gained a strong reputation in Europe for their beauty.

Export Designs
To suit European tastes, Imari ware adopted rich red and gold Kinrande patterns, blending Japanese artistry with Western decorative trends. European nobility prized them as “jewels of porcelain” for palace dining and display.

Cultural Impact
European factories, notably Meissen, adopted Imari-style designs, helping to shape Western porcelain traditions. Today, artisans in Imari blend classical patterns with modern styles and present their work in international exhibitions.

Karatsu-yaki (Karatsu, Saga Prefecture)

Long History
Dating back to the late 16th century, Karatsu-yaki is one of Japan’s oldest pottery traditions. It absorbed techniques from Korean potters and was deeply connected to the tea ceremony culture.

Style and Features
Karatsu ware is known for its natural ash glazes and rustic textures, created in climbing kilns. Varieties include Madara Karatsu (mottled glaze), E-Karatsu (painted designs), and Chosen Karatsu (Korean-inspired style).

International Influence
In the modern era, Karatsu’s wabi-sabi aesthetics attracted Western potters such as Bernard Leach. It is now showcased in ceramic exhibitions worldwide as a symbol of Japanese traditional pottery.

Hasami-yaki (Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture)

From Practical Ware to Global Design
Hasami-yaki began as a subcontracted producer of Arita ware, making affordable and practical porcelain. Since the Meiji period, it has developed its own brand identity, producing pieces that balance functionality with beauty.

Design Appeal
Its simple, refined style often resembles Scandinavian design, which has boosted its popularity in Europe and Asia. Collaborations with brands such as MUJI have further increased its international reach.

Global Presence
Hasami has become a destination for pottery tourism, attracting visitors from overseas. Young artisans actively join international exhibitions and workshops, bringing Hasami’s minimal, functional beauty into homes worldwide.

A Connected Network of Craft

Imari Port served as the main export hub for Hizen porcelain, linking Saga and Nagasaki to the world through Dejima. Artisans and domains across the region exchanged skills and knowledge, collectively strengthening the industry.
Although names like Arita-yaki, Imari-yaki, and Hasami-yaki have evolved over time, together they represent a shared ceramic culture rooted in Hizen.

Conclusion

Saga and Nagasaki’s porcelain is a proud symbol of Japan’s traditional crafts, shaped by a rich mix of history, technology, culture, and international exchange. Each style reflects a pursuit of both beauty and practicality, and continues to be cherished in homes and museums around the world.
Through centuries of trade and cultural dialogue, Japanese porcelain has become more than a craft – it is a cultural icon. The Hizen region, where tradition and innovation coexist, will continue to share its legacy with the world.

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