What is this? › Crafts & everyday objects
陶芸Japanese ceramics

Pottery and porcelain (陶磁器, tōjiki; also yakimono (焼きもの), or tōgei (陶芸)) is one of the oldest Japanese crafts and art forms, dating back to the Neolithic period. Types have included earthenware, pottery, stoneware, porcelain, and blue-and-white ware. Japan has an exceptionally long and successful history of ceramic production. Earthenwares were made as early as the Jōmon period (10,500–300 BC), giving Japan one of the oldest ceramic traditions in the world. Japan is further distinguished by the unusual esteem that ceramics hold within its artistic tradition, owing to the enduring popularity of the tea ceremony. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573–1603), kilns throughout Japan produced ceramics with unconventional designs. In the early Edo period, the production of porcelain commenced in the Hizen-Arita region of Kyushu, employing techniques imported from Korea. These porcelain works became known as Imari wares, named after the port of Imari from which they were exported to various markets, including Europe.
Japanese ceramic history records the names of numerous distinguished ceramists, and some were artist-potters, e.g. Hon'ami Kōetsu, Ninsei, Ogata Kenzan, and Aoki Mokubei. Japanese anagama kilns also have flourished through the ages, and their influence weighs with that of the potters.
Text from Wikipedia: Japanese pottery and porcelain — CC BY-SA 4.0. Read more on Wikipedia →


Japan Tourism Agency explanations
旅Try it yourself: Japanese ceramics
Live prices and reviews from GetYourGuide. Many tours can be cancelled for free — check each listing.
Ad: we may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Compare whether a rail pass saves money on your route before you buy tickets.
Check prices →Japan eSIM / mobile data
Ad: we may earn a commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.
問Questions visitors ask
What is Japanese ceramics?
Pottery and porcelain (陶磁器, tōjiki; also yakimono (焼きもの), or tōgei (陶芸)) is one of the oldest Japanese crafts and art forms, dating back to the Neolithic period.
工Crafts & everyday objects
Open the scanner and compare →
Katana日本刀
Yoroi甲冑
Kintsugi金継ぎ
Urushi lacquerware漆器
Maki-e蒔絵
Washi和紙
Kokeshi dollsこけし
Hina dolls雛祭り
Kamon家紋
Hanko印章
Furoshiki風呂敷
Tenugui手拭