Home / Style & Culture / 4 Japanese Artisans Reimagining Traditional Arita-yaki for Modern Living

4 Japanese Artisans Reimagining Traditional Arita-yaki for Modern Living

Jan. 16. 2025

The town of Arita in Japan’s Saga prefecture has long been known for its 400-year-old history of Arita-yaki, the first Japan-made porcelain. The craft has captivated collectors and connoisseurs worldwide with its timeless elegance and versatility, suited to any occasion. Here are 4 brands and artists we love, each creating pieces with stories that reflect their unique interpretations while honoring the core principles of this revered craft.

 

  1. 1616/arita japan   

Left: Noriyuki Momota

Middle: Momota Touen

2351-169 Akasaka, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga

☎ 0955-42-2519 

Open 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Right: Designed by Scholten & Baijings.
milk can & sugar can & platter, platter, espresso cup, deep plate

 

In 2012, Noriyuki Momota partnered with designer Teruhiro Yanagihara, to launch  1616/arita japan, aiming to bring Aritayaki to dining tables worldwide.

While respecting tradition, we wanted to challenge preconceptions,” Momota shares enthusiastically. The journey was far from easy. When Yanagihara first presented designs featuring flat, undecorated pieces, it symbolized a dramatic pivot from Arita’s iconic raised-foot bowls and elaborate patterns. Momota recalls his initial hesitation: “I struggled with whether such minimal designs had a place in Arita.” However, it was Yanagihara’s profound assertion that  “tradition only survives through innovation” ultimately giving him the courage to proceed. Convincing the craftsmen proved even more challenging, but their shared passion for showcasing  Arita’s beauty to the world ultimately forged a united from behind this bold new vision. Every piece stands as a groundbreaking collaboration between contemporary design and traditional craftsmanship.

Square plates designed by Yanagihara align perfectly at the edges, making the small plates stackable and versatile as condiment holders. Their matte texture and gray-toned colors enhance the presentation of the dishes, making them appear even more vibrant.

 

  1. Fumie Tanaka

Left: Fumie Tanaka

Middle: Gallery Tezuka

1-2-2 Otaru, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga

☎ 0955-42-2018 

Open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM  

Closed on irregular days  

Right: A delightful set of small plates, each crafted with Ms. Tanaka’s “favorites” woven into every detail. These charming plates are as versatile as they are beautiful—perfect as lids for your mug, elegant trays for serving treats, or stylish rests for your tea bag. 

 

In another corner of Arita, Fumie Tanaka shares her stories through her porcelain. She adds charm and whimsy to traditional patterns with her small plates (mamezara) featuring playful scenes: dogs in bamboo hats peeking out from classical motifs and rabbits gazing at moon-viewing dumplings painted on circular dishes.I’ve always loved working with small pieces,” she says. Inspired often during tea breaks, she jokingly explained that she makes these dishes simply because she wants special plates to showcase her favorite local confections like Ogi-youkan and Chawan-monaka. Calling herself a “daydreaming chef,” she also creates a wide range of everyday items from rice bowls to pasta plates. Each piece reflects  her heartfelt desire to “bring color and joy to the dining table through these dishes.

A three-tiered box originally designed for solo New Year’s osechi meals—also perfect as a container for sweets.

 

  1. Riso Porcelain

Left: Shinji Terauchi

Middle:Riso Porcelain 

1-4-20 Shirakawa, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga

☎ 0955-42-2438  

Open 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM  

Closed on irregular days  

Right: The Oryoki set is a six-piece collection suitable for both celebratory occasions and everyday meals. Each bowl features a delicately carved “tobikanna” pattern on the surface, coated with a soft, pale blue glaze. The nesting design ensures convenient storage without taking up extra space.

 

At Riso Porcelain, fourth-generation owner Shinji Terauchi continues to shape Arita’s legacy. Riso Porcelain has earned international acclaim for creating ceramics that transcend cultural boundaries. Terauchi, who studied industrial design at Musashino Art University before joining a trading company, brings both artistic vision and business expertise to his craft. His iconic 3-layer Jubako Box, which resembles modern sculptures, is featured in prestigious restaurants and contemporary homes worldwide. “In the near future, I want to work with this porcelain stone from Izumiyama, which is essentially the root of Arita ware,” Terauchi shares. His dedication to preserving heritage while embracing innovation exemplifies Riso Porcelain’s mission: honoring Arita’s rich history and techniques while evolving to meet the needs of modern dining.

This small, round three-layer stackable container is versatile, perfect for serving individual portions to guests, arranging sweets to pass around, or using as an ornamental piece on the table.

 

  1. Akio Momota

Left: Akio Momota

Middle: in blue Akatsuki

3499-6 Kuromuta Hei, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga

☎ 0955-42-3987 / 080-6407-4139  

Open 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM  

Closed on irregular days  

Right: A bowl perfect for arranging flowers or serving dishes by placing dressings or dips in the central indentation.

 

At his gallery “in blue Akatsuki,” nestled within a forest, Akio Momota finds inspiration within the beauty of nature. “The blue of the sky, the ripples of water, the changing seasons – this environment provides endless inspiration,” he shares. After studying under two master potters with distinctly different styles – the bold techniques of Shiro Soejima and the precise traditional methods of Shunemon Okugawa – Momota developed his own unique approach. The beauty of his work lies in the harmonious interplay between form and design.Since I want people to use these pieces daily, functionality is just as important as aesthetics,” Momota explains. “I pay particular attention to the thinness of pieces that touch the lips.” His masterful techniques add sophistication to the table while echoing the unfiltered beauty of nature.

Mugs and plates perfect for casual family gatherings or a fancy brunch.

 

Each of these artisans represents a unique aspect of Arita’s evolution. Whether through bold modernization, playful reinterpretation, international collaboration, or refined simplicity, they all share a common goal: preserving tradition while making it relevant in today’s world. Their stories and creations demonstrate how Arita-yaki, while deeply rooted in history, continues to grow and adapt, remaining as vibrant and beautiful as ever.

 

Photo credit: Hisashi Kuma

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