Arita ware, Fukagawa-Seiji Tea & Gallery  – FUKAGAWA SEIJI 1894 ROYAL KILN & TEA

Have you ever heard of a traditional Japanese porcelain called Arita ware? It dates back to the beginning of the 17th century, during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's campaigns in Korea. Nabeshima Naoshige, the lord of Bizen (part of present-day Nagasaki and Saga prefectures), brought back the potter, Li Sanpei who discovered a high-quality porcelain stone at Mount Arita Izumi, and the first fine porcelain thereafter emerged in Japan. The raw porcelain material that was found in Arita, Saga Prefecture in Kyushu is still used for producing tableware and arts and crafts, and continues to be loved by Japanese families up to these days.

Fukagawa-Seiji was founded by Chuji Fukagawa in 1894 and is highly regarded for its original designs distinct from the traditional Arita ware design style. Please read below about FUKAGAWA SEIJI 1894 ROYAL KILN&TEA, a place where you can enjoy a cup of tea served on the famous Fukagawa-Seiji ware.

FUKAGAWA SEIJI 1894 ROYAL KILN & TEA is a tea and gallery by Fukagawa-Seiji, which is permanently located on the 3rd floor of Tokyo Midtown, a commercial facility in Roppongi, Tokyo.

About Fukagawa-Seiji

Fukagawa-Seiji was awarded the Grand Prize at the largest ever Paris World’s Fair, which celebrated the beginning of the new century in 1900. It is also famous in Japan for being appointed an official purveyor to the Japanese Imperial Household.

The founder Chuji Fukagawa, born into a family of kiln-fired potters, had been traveling to Europe even before the opening of the kiln with a purpose to study Western ceramics such as Meissen porcelain in Germany and ‘make the world’s best porcelain’. He invented his own design by adding advanced technology introduced in Europe to the traditional techniques of Arita ware.

After winning the Grand Prize at the 1900 Paris World’s Fair, the company started trading in Europe and gained a great reputation especially in London, Paris, Milan and other parts of the world.

Fukagawa-Seiji is renowned for its transparent white porcelain fired at the high temperature of 1350 degrees and the mysterious blue dyeing technique called Fukagawa Blue, which is used up to this day.

Each process of molding, painting and firing is separately done by the skilled traditional craftsmen.

The tea set in this picture, called ‘Royal tea cup and saucer, the first sunrise of the year over Fuji’, is decorated with Mt. Fuji drawing inside the cup and rough seas on the saucer.

On the exterior, you can see the delicate painting of the beautiful seasonal flowers in Japan.

Mt. Fuji is drawn using aerograph and spraying technique, a key signature of Fukagawa Chuji. Hold it in your hands to feel the differences between the texture of Mt. Fuji and rough seas drawings, a tiny yet amazing precision achieved by using various techniques in one work.

The masterpiece tea set made by the Fukagawa-Seiji, expanding globally in the 19th century, is admired up to these days.

FUKAGAWA SEIJI 1894 ROYAL KILN & TEA

FUKAGAWA SEIJI 1894 ROYAL KILN & TEA is a perfect place to admire Fukagawa-Seiji’s porcelain over the cup of tea.

Right side of the store has a spacious sofa and counter seats. Lined up behind the counter seats, there is a selection of teacups to choose your favourite. The tea leaves are carefully selected by one of the country’s leading tea connoisseurs.

※The teacups choice is subject to a daily change and may differ from those in the photo.

In the tea room, you can treat yourselves to delicious seasonal tarts and chocolates. It is possible to watch the process of porcelain making at the studio in Saga prefecture from the comfort of your couch. This is the only place where you can see how the Fukagawa-Seiji porcelain is made and drink tea served in its ware.

Finally

Find your favorite tableware while enjoying your cup of tea at Fukagawa-Seiji 1894 ROYAL KILN&TEA, the best place to experience the high-quality porcelain in Japan.

Official HP:  https://www.fukagawa-seiji.co.jp/

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