ALEXCIOUS

Superb triple-tiered cuisine presentation piece

Arita-yaki (IMARI) hors d’oeuvre box

This fine porcelain box is designed for everyday use. Often enjoyed in the west as a set of serving-dishes at home or on picnics, in Japan, multi-tiered cuisine boxes (Oju-bako) are used over the New Year period to store and present hors d'oeuvre type delicacies.

'Japan Snow' by the 'Arita Porcelain Lab'

To suit the modern home environment, Satoru Matsumoto (7th generation proprietor of the historic Yazaemon Kiln) envisioned a chic, more durable collection of Arita-yaki porcelain with cool color combinations. Its matte white porcelain is 1.5 times more dense than usual, while the auspicious flora and fauna motifs are given a fresh feel with the addition of genuine platinum. Maintaining the high quality of the kiln’s heritage, the ‘Japan Snow’ hors d’oeuvre box evokes a sense of cool elegance with its stylish modern appeal.

Arita-yaki Porcelain

Arita-yaki was Japan’s very first porcelain. Originating in the town of Arita on the southern island of Kyushu, Korean potters first discovered kaolin there in 1616. Techniques were developed and refined to produce porcelain ware with a uniquely Japanese flavor. The industry grew to become world famous and continues to be fired in the Arita area.

Yazaemon Kiln

Founded in 1804 by one Yazaemon Matsumoto, the Yazaemon Kiln (as it came to be known) has specialized in creating the elaborate gold painted designs on white porcelain, for which IMARI (Arita-yaki) is world famous. Though export of Yazaemon IMARI ceased during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), it has resumed in recent years with Gold IMARI pieces being well received both domestically and overseas. Under the current proprietor’s leadership, the Yazaemon Kiln has become the country's largest producer of Arita-yaki porcelain and is known in Japan for its museum-quality pieces.

Early IMARI Exports

Beginning in 1650, Arita-yaki porcelain was exported through the Dutch West India Company from the port of Imari, and hence became known as IMARI. Enjoyed throughout much of Europe, the most famous of IMARI’s many patrons was Augustus II (Elector of Saxony / King of Poland). Admiring the pieces so much, indeed believing they were equal in value to silver and gold, he ordered alchemist Johann Friedrich Bottger to produce pieces in Germany. Marking the origins of Meissen porcelain, after much trial and error by his predecessor, Bottger finally succeeded.