About IMARI..........

Imari porcelain was first potted at Arita Sarayama in the 1610's. 
In Japanese, Sarayama refers to "the original", or "ancient site" 
where porcelains or potteries were made. 

From Arita Sarayama in the 17th century, these finished porcelain wares
were brought to the port of Imari just to the north of Arita Sarayama, 
and from there they were shipped out to the many ports of Japan by the 
Kitamaebune ships. The Kitamaebune were merchant ships that transported 
northbound goods.

As popularity and demands for Imari porcelains grew, more and more kilns 
were built in Arita Sarayama. And before too long other kiln sites were developed 
all over the province of Hizen. Hizen was at that time a larger 
province in the northern part of Kyushu island that is now Nagasaki and 
Saga. 

Edo Period Imari from the 17th and 18th century were primarily these 
porcelains made in and around the Hizen Province. People eventually came
to call these porcelains goods IMARI simply because they came from the 
port of Imari.

In 1637, with the rapid growth of the porcelain industry in the area,
the Saga Nabeshima Clan started to regulate and control the local kilns.
It was during this period, in the 1640's that new techniques were introduced
that allowed porcelain makers to decorate with more colors including red, 
green, yellow and purple. This is called Aka-e or Iro-e. Also starting in 
1659, Imari porcelains began to be exported to South Asia and Europe by 
the Dutch.

Hizen Imari porcelains were popular in Japan all through the Edo period.
Now the original Arita Sarayama area is called Arita Machi, and is in the 
Saga Prefecture. The porcelains produced in this area are now called 
"Arita yaki".








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