Imari Nabeshima Ware
"Born from an unparalleled history and tradition"

Nabeshima ware is a type of porcelain ware produced by the Nabeshima domain kiln, which was established in 1628 by 31 selected potters in the Arita and Imari areas, Saga Prefecture, as a project directly managed by the Saga Nabeshima domain in the early Edo period (1603 CE–1867 CE).

For about 250 years until the abolition of the domain in 1871, Nabeshima ware, which could only be used by shoguns and feudal lords, continued to produce porcelain masterpieces such as iro-Nabeshima "colored Nabeshima," sometsuke and celadon porcelain, and others as masterpieces of the finest quality. Later, the kilns became private kilns, and new potters joined to create the present Imari Nabeshima ware.

Charm of Imari Nabeshima Ware

Okawachiyama, the home of Nabeshima ware, is surrounded by mountains. The scenery of 30 kilns lined up against the hill is as beautiful as an ink painting. Although it is now a popular tourist destination, during the Edo period(1603 CE–1868 CE), Nabeshima ware was produced under the strict control by the clan, which established a barrier to prevent people from entering the area.

Nabeshima ware was made for special purposes such as dedication and gift-giving, and therefore had to meet many standards to maintain its dignity and style as a feudal lord's tool.

For example, the design of the kodai "foot" had to have evenly spaced patterns like the teeth of a comb, with no deviations. The color painting was also characterized by the presence of underglaze painting lines in gosu, cobalt-blue pigment. Of course, the molding was extremely precise, with no distortion allowed. For this reason, the beauty of Nabeshima ware is highly appreciated both domestically and internationally, even as the pinnacle of Japanese porcelain.

Until the Meiji era (1868 CE–1912 CE), Nabeshima ware was not available on the market and was never seen by the general public. Today, however, it can be easily used in daily life as Imari Nabeshima ware. Despite its avalability, the high quality and beauty of Nabeshima ware have been passed down through the ages. It is often used as a wedding gift or as a longevity gift, as it can be cherished and used for a long time.

Imari Nabeshima Ware History

During the Edo period, Nabeshima ware was produced by the Saga clan (commonly known as the Nabeshima clan), mainly in the Okawachiyama area. First, in the 1650s, products made at Iwatanigawachi in Arita Town were presented to the Tokugawa Shoguns, and later, around the 1660s, products made at the "Nippo-sha-shita" kiln in Okawachiyama were presented. Around the Enpo period (1673-1680), the organization and system of the Nabeshima domain kilns were established at Okawachiyama, and it is thought that the production of offerings began in earnest.

The products were produced until 1870, when the Nabeshima domain kilns were abolished. The products were produced only for the Imperial Court, the Shogun's family, gifts to feudal lords, and for the clan's official use. 　

Okawachiyama was chosen because of its location in a steep mountainous area completely isolated from the outside world. The isolated environment served to protect the secrecy of the domain's kiln technology, as there was a fear of technological leakage. It was also quiet, allowing them to concentrate on porcelain production and the availability of superior raw materials for celadon glaze.

The actual production staff consisted of 11 craftsmen, 9 painters, and 4 "Hineri-zaiku (Small decorations made by hand)" craftsmen, plus 7 laborers, for a total of 31 workers, and production was conducted in an environment isolated from the outside world. Production was supervised by potters dispatched by the clan.

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The reason that Nabeshima ware became first-rate, elegant, and graceful was not only due to the skills of these potters, but also to the great power and extraordinary enthusiasm of the successive lords of the Nabeshima domain. Furthermore, the clan carefully selected the materials necessary for their products, such as white porcelain stone, glaze materials, kiln tools, and firewood. This system of clan kilns was unique during the Edo period. The potters were considered to be samurai, and were allowed to wear the family name and sword, and were given generous protection and treatment, being exempted from all official duties and hard labor. On the other hand, they were obliged to produce and deliver a fixed quantity of products to the clan each year. Since a master craftsman could be dismissed if his skills declined, it goes without saying that he was constantly striving to improve and refine his skills.

There was also a system in place to select and promote the best potters from the private kilns in the Arita area, so it was a great dream for the potters of the private kilns to become a master craftsman of the Nabeshima domain kiln.

Style of Imari Nabeshima Ware

There are three main types of Nabeshima ware: iro-Nabeshima, sometsuke, and celadon ware. These characteristics have been carried over to the current Imari Nabeshima ware, and the designs are both popular and highly regarded.

Iro-Nabeshima

After outlines are drawn with indigo-colored gosu, the inside is overglazed with red, kibi "yellow", and moyogi "green." Although it appears that many colors are used, in fact only three colors are used in overglaze painting, a characteristic of iro-Nabeshima, and its beauty is said to be the pinnacle of Japanese porcelain.

Sometsuke

The design is applied using only gosu on a transparent base. The full range of techniques, such as the application of an even coating so that no brushstrokes can be seen after a firm outline has been drawn, and the meticulous sumi-hajiki "repellent ink" technique, give Nabeshima ware the dignity and sophistication.

Celadon

Celadon glaze made from high quality celadon gemstones produced in Okawachiyama is applied to the whole or part of the ware, sometimes with underglaze sometsuke or iro-e painting. There are bluish and greenish kannyu "crazing" finishes.

Photo by Courtesy of Hataman Touen

Popular Kilns

Hataman Touen

Hataman Touen is a company that aims to "create a new Nabeshima" along with passing on the history and traditional craft of Imari Nabeshima ware, which has continued for 370 years. Based on the belief that "traditional crafts can only be inherited if they are closely connected to daily life," the company offers tableware that enriches the spirit and sensibility in accordance with modern lifestyles.

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Kosen Kiln

Nabeshima Kosen Kiln specializes in products that use a variety of the three techniques that are characteristic of Nabeshima ware: iro-Nabeshima, sometsuke, and celadon. The company's founder, Kawasoe Tameo, has long studied celadon porcelain with a strong desire to make Nabeshima celadon ware available to as many people as possible.

The current third generation, with a vision of "establishing Nabeshima culture," began research and development of celadon from a different perspective from that of his grandfather. The kiln is working daily with the hope that the future of Nabeshima ware will be enriched 100 years from now.

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