Arita Porcelain Japanese Vase for Yoshinozakura

* Elegant and magnificent style made in Japan

* Traditional handcrafted (Arita-yaki)

* Under the strict quality control system, every product is examined carefully

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*Vase stand sold separately

Koransha ceramics factory in Arita,on Japan's southern island of Kyushu

(Process of Arita Ware Production)

1. Mining claystone

The primary raw material for Arita ware is fine porcelain claystone, which was discovered at Mount Arita-Izumi in what is now Arita town in 1616, when it then started to be quarried. Nowadays, the porcelain claystone of the Amakusa region is used instead.

2. Crushing

Quarried calystone is crushed and reduced to powder. This process needs to be done slowly. If the claystone is crushed too quickly, it can cause the claystone to heat up and lose its viscous properties, which are necessary for the claystone to be formed later.

3. Elutriation

Powdered claystone is added to water and stirred well, then left to settle for a while, allowing some heavy impurities and gravel to sink. The water, containing fine claystone particles, is filtered to make fine clay. This process is repeated several times in order to get good quality clay.

4. Compression

The semi-liquid claystone mixture is compressed, which removes excess fluid.

5. Pugging

Various materials are added to the claystone mixture, in order to, amongst other things, improve its strength and make the finished product glaze smoothly. The mixture is then well "pugged" a process which involves working the material into a soft clay and removing air pockets. Good pugging is essential because poorly mixed clay or any air trapped in the clay can cause products to develop an uneven shape or even break during firing.

6. Forming

Forming is performed by various techniques : potter's wheel, hand, molding, and casting for example. The clay is semi-dried during the forming process, and is known as greenware, or namakiji in Japanese. Namakiji can crack and break easily, so it should be handled with care.

7. Biscuit Firing

The greenware is low-fired at 900 degrees so as to make it dry and firm

8. Underglazed painting

Designs are painted onto the surface of a low-fired body. Sometsuke (blue and white painting)is done at this point of the process.

9. Glazing

The glaze is poured evenly over the greenware, which is then put on a board. The glaze is removed from the underneath of the product to avoid it sticking to the board. Glazing makes products smooth like glass, non-porous and stain-resistant. The pieces are left to dry well after glazing.

10.Firing

The pieces are fired in a gas kiln at 1,300 degrees for about 16 hours. The characteristics of porcelain, such as its translucent color and its coolness of touch, become apparent at this stage of the process.

11.Overglazed painting

Painting on the hgh-fired glazed pieces with colors other than cobalt blue now takes place. Common colors for Arita ware are red, green, yellow and gold. Akae:overglazed color painting on white porcelain. Somenishiki:Overglazed colored painting on a Sometsuke(blue and white painting)background.

12.Firing

The overglazed painted pieces are fired at 700-800 degrees.

13.Finished

<Product Specification>

<Koransha>

- For more than 300years, as a leading porcelain company in Japan we have exerted efforts to develop our own "beauty".

- Formed in 1689 in Arita, the birth place of Japanese porcelain, its elegant and magnificent style quickly enchanted many collectors, as well as European royalty and nobility.

- Participated in International Expositions in 19th century to 20th century, and won Gran Prix, Gold Medals, and many other awards.

- As Purveyor for Imperial House hold Agency, Koransha has been a supplier for more than 130 years.

- Koransha is famous as a gift for guests at banquets and weddings.

7th Eizaemon Fukagawa (Aritayaki Founder)

8th Eizaemon Fukagawa (The establishment of Koransha)

There was porcelain that had made the journey acrosss the sea from Japan. From the Meiji Era, beginning in 1868, to the early Showa period (beginning in 1912), Koransha creations sparkled in the First Prize and Grand Prix selections of International Expositions the world over.

Awards (1876,1878,1888,1909,1910,1915 and 1930)