Kakiemon Kiln
The Kakiemon kiln is among the oldest family-owned kilns in Arita, with a history documented to the 1640s. Sakaida Kisōemon (1615–1653) was the first person to successfully create a method of applying colorful overglaze enamels to Japanese porcelain. For his achievement he was awarded the name Kakiemon, and his heirs have used the name ever since. Located on the kiln grounds, the Museum of Old Ceramics contains representative pieces from the family’s long history, including large jars and vases that were popular export products to Europe in the 1800s.
The oldest building on the Kakiemon kiln property is at least 200 years old. Now used as the personal workspace of the current head of the family, Kakiemon XV (b. 1968), it features a traditional thatched roof that must be replaced every few decades. The modern factory and workshops are approximately 40 years old, built under the direction of Kakiemon XIV (1934–2013). The traditional woodfired kiln, finished during the Meiji era (1868－1912), is fueled with Japanese red pine, and is used three to four times a year to fire the specialty milky-white nigoshide pieces which can be created only by Kakiemon XV himself. Most of the porcelain produced by Kakiemon is fired in gas kilns.
In front of a tea house in the complex is a large persimmon tree (kaki-no-ki) which pays homage to the kaki of the family’s hereditary title, Kakiemon. The tea house is open to the public during the porcelain festival held every year from April 29 to May 5.
