Text & Photography / Chi Binghui
Both Yingge in Taiwan and Jingdezhen in mainland China are renowned ceramic hubs with histories dating back centuries, each with slightly different techniques. Japan’s “Arita-yaki” is one of the country’s most iconic ceramics, with a history of about 400 years. It thrived in Saga, Kyushu, and is famous for its fine paintings and rich colors. The Saikumon Kiln still maintains “handmade” techniques, with every step strictly controlled to produce precious and limited quantities of Arita-yaki.
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The handmade process of Arita-yaki is intricate.
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The Saikumon Kiln offers group reservations for studio tours.
In the 17th century, Lee Sakai, a Korean potter, discovered high-quality ceramic materials on Sannozan Mountain in Arita, marking the beginning of Arita-yaki. Later, Kakiemon Sakaida invented the “colored porcelain” technique, using large amounts of blue and red pigments on pure white porcelain, accented with touches of green and yellow. The craftsmanship was complex, and at the time, large quantities were exported to Europe.
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A skilled female artisan paints on brown glaze, which turns blue after firing.
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After coloring, another layer of glaze is applied.
The Saikumon Kiln, established in this region, has a 250-year history. It currently employs around 50 artisans, each with at least ten years of experience. From pottery-making, painting, glazing, drying, to firing, they all adhere to ancient handcrafting methods. Each artisan is responsible for a specific step, making the process especially time-consuming. The highest-quality pieces can take up to two months to complete, and any slight imperfection leads to rejection—about 20% are considered defective. Annual production varies.
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An artisan works diligently beneath layers of finished pieces.
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