| Japanese pottery can be divided in to 4 main | | | | Japan, so much so that it could not be produced |
| categories - earthenware, porcelain, glazed and | | | | quickly enough to satisfy demand. Skilled workers in |
| un-glazed stoneware. These 4 kinds of pottery have | | | | China were used to create Arita and ship it over for |
| been made in Japan since prehistoric times, but it is | | | | sale. |
| more recently that it has become so widespread. | | | | Imari Pottery |
| Most pottery that has been made in Japan is used | | | | The word Imari, which is actually the name of a port |
| for practical purposes, such as bowls, vases or plates. | | | | near the town of Arita, is often given as a term to |
| Although this fact is true, the decoration of the | | | | describe all pottery coming from Japan from 1600 |
| pottery pieces has always been of the highest | | | | onwards. The name was given due to the fact that |
| quality. As with many other Japanese customs and | | | | the port was used to export pottery all over the |
| rituals, the art of making pottery and porcelain has | | | | world and therefore the term Imari pottery was |
| been refined and mastered over hundreds of years. | | | | born. The real names for the different types or |
| Satsuma Pottery | | | | styles of Imari pottery relate to either the places |
| One of the most popular kinds is called Satsuma and | | | | they were made in, the potter who made them or |
| was made around 400 years ago from a brown clay | | | | the family name. |
| found in the Satsuma region. Some say that it is a | | | | Made In Occupied Japan |
| cross between pottery and porcelain, due to the fact | | | | In 1945, Japan was occupied by the Allied forces as |
| that it is fired at a very low temperature. The | | | | part of World War 2. During the 7 year occupation, |
| tell-tale markings of a piece of Satsuma is the | | | | any porcelain or pottery that was being exported out |
| creamy color and the crackled glaze. | | | | of the country had to be marked as being from |
| Arita Pottery | | | | Occupied Japan. Most of the pieces that were sold |
| Around the same time that Satsuma pottery was | | | | abroad were cheaper kitchenware or pottery pieces |
| created, the blue and white porcelain called Arita was | | | | such as vases. Any of the good and fine pieces |
| also being made. These pieces are white in color with | | | | stayed in the country. The idea was that the mass |
| an ink like blue under glaze. They are also often | | | | export of these kinds of goods would help build |
| decorated with figures of Japanese gods or | | | | Japan's economy and stabilize the country after the |
| important people. This became a very popular style in | | | | war. |