Japanese ceramics is one of the country's oldest art forms, which dates back to the last stone age. Kilns have produced pottery, porcelain, stoneware, glazed pottery, earthenware, glazed stoneware, and blue-and-white ware.

Since the 5th century, Japanese anagama kilns have flourished through the ages along with their influence on potters. Another aspect of Japanese art is the continuing popularity of unglazed stoneware even after porcelain was developed.

At first, there was a great Chinese influence on Japanese pottery and porcelain. When Japan started to industrialize during the mid-19th century, Japanese features were incorporated into the Chinese style prototypes.

With Japan’s long and richful history, there have been many types of ceramics established.

Arita Ware
Arita was the first place to produce ceramics in Japan in the early 17th century. It is also known as Imari-yaki because of a port, Imari, located near the Arita district during the Edo Era. Arita ceramics made a significant influence on Japan, and are essentially a root in Japanese ceramics. The polished white dishes, beautifully painted vessels, and designs accorded with the seasons enriched the arts and way of life in the traditional Japanese society.

Nabeshima Ware
Nabeshima ware were ceramics managed directly by Saga clan (Nabeshima clan) in the 17-19th century. Today, there are many potters who practice the technique of Nabeshima ware and make efforts to enrich it it day by day.

Mikawachi Ware
Mikawachi ware has 400 years of history and is also referred as Hirado ware. White porcelain whose components are the natural ceramic stones, painting of chinese dolls, the beauties of nature, and highly technical handiwork in details, are several features that make this particular ceramic exceptional.

Kyoto Ware
Kyoto ware incorporates a variety of beautiful patterns and unique character. It has a history of 1,200 years. Kyoto ware has prospered with prominent ceramic artists and still appears today.

Kutani Ware
Kutani Ware is traced back to the 1650s in the Kutani village. It is a representative of Japanese iroe (multicolored over the glaze) porcelain. The three periods in Kutani ware history (Ko-Kutani, Saiko Kutani, and Kutani) are all renowned and highly valued.

Hagi Ware
In ancient times, Hagi ware which was loved by a master of tea ceremony. This ceramic is slightly porous and absorbs tea easily which changes the surface color. It is said that users appreciate this profound beauty of changing color tones.

Kasama Ware
This pottery originated in Kasama-shi, designed freely and not restricted to tradition. Its distinct characteristic is that it produces various types of clay.

Karatsu Ware
This type of ceramic was produced in and around Karatsu during the Saga prefecture. It is still a popular style of pottery often used in tea ceremonies, and is appreciated simply and deeply.

Takeo Ware
Takeo Ware is generally classified into either brownish earthen-ware or white porcelain. With a variety of styles based on techniques, this ceramic values the originality in the tones of simplicity, warmness, and tranquility.

Tanba Ware
This particular ceramic is one of the six oldest kilns in Japan. Tanba ware has rich colors of dark brown and black, and produces useful utensils and containers.

Bizen Ware
Bizen ware is the oldest pottery in Japan inheriting a tradition of over 1,000 years. With time, this ceramic increases its beauty by changing colors and textures when used daily.

Mino Ware
Mino ware is a renowned ceramic which originated during the gifu prefecture. Today it produces not only reproductions, but new ceramics with personal aesthetics as well.

Koishiwara Ware
Koishiwara ware was established over 350 years ago and still succeeds its tradition. Craftsmen continue to produce ceramics used in daily lives with the clay from Koishiwara.