Porcelain by Fukagawa Seiji(\u6df1\u5ddd\u88fd\u78c1 \u682a\u5f0f\u4f1a\u793e)<\/strong><\/h1>\nJapanese Beauty, Painted with Delicate Artistry, Opens a New Era of Ceramics<\/strong><\/p>\nArita, located in Saga Prefecture, is the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Porcelain was first fired there in 1616. During the Korean campaigns of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the lord of the Nabeshima clan brought master potters from Korea to Japan. These potters discovered porcelain stone in Izumiyama near Arita\u2014the high-quality raw material for porcelain\u2014and began its production.<\/p>\n
The so-called \u201cImari\u201d porcelain, which was highly valued by European royal and aristocratic families during the Edo period, was produced here and exported through the port of Imari.<\/p>\n
The Fukagawa family had operated kilns in Arita for generations since around 1650. In 1894 (Meiji 27), Chuji Fukagawa founded the porcelain manufacturer Fukagawa Seiji<\/strong>. Even before establishing the company, young Chuji had traveled to Europe several times and had seen firsthand how European manufacturers\u2014particularly the Meissen porcelain factory in Germany\u2014rose to prominence. Inspired by this, he set out with the ambition to \u201ccreate the best porcelain in the world.\u201d<\/p>\nHe combined Arita\u2019s traditional techniques with advanced European technologies and pursued a unique design aesthetic that embodied the spirit of Japan.<\/p>\n
Chuji exhibited a large vase, made using exceptionally high decorative techniques, at the 1900 Paris Exposition and received the Gold Medal<\/strong> for it. Fukagawa Seiji was subsequently awarded at various world expositions and gained international recognition.<\/p>\nAs a result, the company established international offices via the Watt Trading House in Birmingham, England, with branches in London, Paris, Hamburg, Milan<\/strong>, and Brussels<\/strong>, spreading the appeal of Japanese ceramic art across the globe.<\/p>\nThe Noble “Fukagawa Blue” \u2013 Admired by Guests Worldwide<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhat made the name Fukagawa<\/strong> known across the world was the pure beauty of the cobalt blue decoration (sometsuke)<\/strong>. Chuji placed great emphasis on producing transparent white porcelain, fired at a high temperature of 1350\u00b0C, and the elegant blue decoration painted on it. This blue became known as \u201cFukagawa Blue.\u201d<\/strong> The so-called Dami<\/em> technique, which creates subtle gradations of color using a single brush, results in a mystical, almost ethereal blue tone.<\/p>\nThe innovative designs, which stood out clearly from previous Arita styles like Ko-Imari, Kakiemon, and Iro-Nabeshima, came to be known as the \u201cFukagawa style.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\nThrough continuous advancements in kiln technology, improvements in glazes, and other technical innovations, Fukagawa Seiji eventually achieved the hallmark quality for which it is still known today: transparent, pure white porcelain adorned with brilliant, luminous blue<\/strong>.<\/p>\nFukagawa Seiji was commissioned by Emperor Meiji<\/strong> to produce tableware for official state banquets. In 1910 (Meiji 43), the company was granted the title of Imperial Household Purveyor (Kunai-sh\u014d Goy\u014dtashi)<\/strong>. Even after the abolition of this system shortly after World War II, Fukagawa Seiji continues to supply the Imperial Household<\/strong> to this day.<\/p>\nFukagawa porcelain was also used on passenger ships of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line)<\/strong>, where celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein<\/strong> were guests. Its use in diplomatic receptions further underscores its status as one of Japan\u2019s leading porcelain brands.<\/p>\nThis pride is reflected in the brand\u2019s trademark: \u201cMt. Fuji with flowing water,\u201d<\/strong> which Chuji chose at the company\u2019s founding, expressing his vision for global success.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>![\"SHIKI](\"https:\/\/worldofshiki.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Shiki-Boutique-4.jpg\" "\\"SHIKI")
<\/span><\/div><\/div>
Arita, located in Saga Prefecture, is the birthplace of Japanese porcelain. Porcelain was first fired there in 1616. During the Korean campaigns of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the lord of the Nabeshima clan brought master potters from Korea to Japan. These potters discovered porcelain stone in Izumiyama near Arita\u2014the high-quality raw material for porcelain\u2014and began its production.<\/p>\n
The so-called \u201cImari\u201d porcelain, which was highly valued by European royal and aristocratic families during the Edo period, was produced here and exported through the port of Imari.<\/p>\n
The Fukagawa family had operated kilns in Arita for generations since around 1650. In 1894 (Meiji 27), Chuji Fukagawa founded the porcelain manufacturer Fukagawa Seiji<\/strong>. Even before establishing the company, young Chuji had traveled to Europe several times and had seen firsthand how European manufacturers\u2014particularly the Meissen porcelain factory in Germany\u2014rose to prominence. Inspired by this, he set out with the ambition to \u201ccreate the best porcelain in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n He combined Arita\u2019s traditional techniques with advanced European technologies and pursued a unique design aesthetic that embodied the spirit of Japan.<\/p>\n Chuji exhibited a large vase, made using exceptionally high decorative techniques, at the 1900 Paris Exposition and received the Gold Medal<\/strong> for it. Fukagawa Seiji was subsequently awarded at various world expositions and gained international recognition.<\/p>\n As a result, the company established international offices via the Watt Trading House in Birmingham, England, with branches in London, Paris, Hamburg, Milan<\/strong>, and Brussels<\/strong>, spreading the appeal of Japanese ceramic art across the globe.<\/p>\n What made the name Fukagawa<\/strong> known across the world was the pure beauty of the cobalt blue decoration (sometsuke)<\/strong>. Chuji placed great emphasis on producing transparent white porcelain, fired at a high temperature of 1350\u00b0C, and the elegant blue decoration painted on it. This blue became known as \u201cFukagawa Blue.\u201d<\/strong> The so-called Dami<\/em> technique, which creates subtle gradations of color using a single brush, results in a mystical, almost ethereal blue tone.<\/p>\n The innovative designs, which stood out clearly from previous Arita styles like Ko-Imari, Kakiemon, and Iro-Nabeshima, came to be known as the \u201cFukagawa style.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Through continuous advancements in kiln technology, improvements in glazes, and other technical innovations, Fukagawa Seiji eventually achieved the hallmark quality for which it is still known today: transparent, pure white porcelain adorned with brilliant, luminous blue<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Fukagawa Seiji was commissioned by Emperor Meiji<\/strong> to produce tableware for official state banquets. In 1910 (Meiji 43), the company was granted the title of Imperial Household Purveyor (Kunai-sh\u014d Goy\u014dtashi)<\/strong>. Even after the abolition of this system shortly after World War II, Fukagawa Seiji continues to supply the Imperial Household<\/strong> to this day.<\/p>\n Fukagawa porcelain was also used on passenger ships of the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line)<\/strong>, where celebrities such as Charlie Chaplin and Albert Einstein<\/strong> were guests. Its use in diplomatic receptions further underscores its status as one of Japan\u2019s leading porcelain brands.<\/p>\n This pride is reflected in the brand\u2019s trademark: \u201cMt. Fuji with flowing water,\u201d<\/strong> which Chuji chose at the company\u2019s founding, expressing his vision for global success.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>The Noble “Fukagawa Blue” \u2013 Admired by Guests Worldwide<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>