Information

Presentation

Sections:
I. The origins and the
development of Imari
porcelain
II Porcelain for the
aristocracy and the
european courts
III Imari masterpieces for
the european market
IV European ceramics
imitate the Imari originals

List of works

Photo selection
of works
in exhibition

Photos of
exhibition's room

Making
porcelain
in Arita

Jiki. Japanese porcelain between
East and West. 1610-1760
26 June - 7 November

III - Imari masterpieces for the european market

To help supplement the dramatic reduction of Chinese porcelain available for the export market after 1644, Hizen porcelains began to be produced for export to European markets from 1658. The Dutch placed orders for porcelains that catered to the demands of contemporary Europeans.
Hizen porcelain was made in a wide range of forms for export, from tableware ranging from vessels for coffee, tea, chocolate and liquor, seasoning containers, to stationery items, furnishings, and even medical equipment. Among the range of vessels produced, tableware and seasoning containers were fired in the greatest volume. Dishes were made in the greatest number, with large dishes representing the classic export item of this period. A contemporary document records that the largest Hizen porcelain dish measured 40-50 cm in diameter. Unlike the Japanese custom, Europeans used volume to measure vessels. Therefore, a half size vessel refers to a dish measuring 30 cm in diameter. Designs on Hizen porcelains bound for export were in general substantially different from patterns adorning wares made for the Japanese domestic market. Quite a number of patterns were created specifically for the European market, including the flower vase design.
The Kakiemon style, popular in the 1670s-1690s, was supplanted by the Kinrande (‘brocade’) style, which became prevailing style in the 1690-1730s. The Kinrande style ushered in new combinations of overglaze polychrome enamels. The new style can be broadly classified into two groups; one type employs the two colour-palate of red and gold mostly over underglaze cobalt-blue. The other type utilises a five or six colour-palate that includes green, yellow, blue and purple with the red and gold. The latter type was more refined and expensive.
Large jars and vases furnished the palaces and halls of the aristocratic families of Europe. Large jars with a total height of 60cm including the lid were made for an export by the end of 17th century. These types of large jars were not made for the Japanese domestic market in the same period. The porcelain kiln size obviously restricted the height of the jar that could be fired. As the demand for larger jars grew from the European market, Arita potters adapted the kiln shapes and were able to fire vessels as large as 90 cm in total height by the first half of the 18th century.