There are two types of pottery: earthenware and porcelain. When you flick them with your finger, earthenware makes a dull sound, while porcelain makes a more metalic ringing sound. Imari ceramics are porcelain, and in fact, they were the first porcelain ware that Japanese people experienced. The shiny, bold white and the rich, deep blue must have been dazzling to them since all they had seen before were the rough, natural colors of earthenware.

The technology for manufacturing Imari was brought to Japan from the Southern Korean peninsula, and it is said that the first Imari was made around the beginning of the 17th century. This antique pottery is called "Imari" as it was exported internationally from the port of Imari. By strict definition, Imari refers to pieces made up to the close of the Edo period, but pieces made in the Meiji period are sometimes loosely called Imari as well. Now known as Arita pottery, these gorgeous dishes are still handcrafted today.

Many museums display perfectly preserved Imari pieces, and such items command premium prices among collectors. Blue Tree Gallery offers pieces which were probably used by common folks in their daily lives. Some of these pieces are cracked or are repaired using kintsugi, the traditional method for mending pottery. In any case, each piece has its own character and long history. This is antique pottery that you can actually use and enjoy!