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Date：2017-01-04Trip to Saga, Home of Japanese Porcelain

A delegation of Shanghai Art Collection Museum, led by the museum's president Hu Muqing and executive curator Li Shuiqing, successfully concluded a 4-day visit to Saga Prefecture of Japan from December 21 to 24, with the purpose of studying Japan's traditional Arita ware.

During the visit, the delegation visited the head of the Ministry of Industry and Labor and Deputy Minister of Regional Communications of Saga Prefecture as well as prestigious artists including Living National Treasures of Japan Manji Inoue and the 14th generation of Imaizumi Imaemon, the 15th generation of Sakaida Kakiemon, and Gen-emon.

The visit also included meetings with representatives from the Saga Prefecture Ceramics Industry Association, Hizen Ceramics Commercial and Industrial Association, Saga Prefecture Ceramics Business. The delegation also visited art museums including Saga Prefectural Kyushu Ceramics Museum, Arita Ceramics Museum and ceramic markets including the Arita Ceramics Square and Okawa-Uchiyama, reaching multiple intents on future cooperation with Shanghai Art Collection Museum and its art galleries.

On December 21, the delegation arrived at Arita-chou, the birthplace of the world-famous Arita ware. Accompanied by Mr. Katsuhiko Honda, Vice Director of International Communications Department of Saga Prefectural Government, the delegation visited the home and kiln of Sakaida Kakiemon, Japan's important intangible cultural heritage.

Originated from the 16th century, Sakaida Kakiemon has a history of almost 500 years to today's 15th generation. Its works have made a name for the "Kakiemon style" for the unique beauty.

The 15th generation of Sakaida Kakiemon warmly hosted the delegation and expressed strong interest in future cooperation with the museum.

In the afternoon, with representatives from the International Communications Department, the delegation visited the Arita Ceramics Square for Arita ware works by young emerging artists.

In the evening, the delegation was welcomed by the Saga Prefectural Government for dinner at the Prefectural Administrative Building, along with a creative light show by the prefecture.

On the morning of December 22, the delegation was warmly received by Mr. Masahiko Ishibashi, head of the Ministry of Industry and Labor, and Mr. Hiroyuki Miyahara, Deputy Minister of Regional Communications of Saga Prefecture, who expressed high praise for the museum's contribution to promoting cultural exchange between China and Japan and expectation to further strengthen cooperation with the Saga Prefecture.

After the meeting with the government, the delegation arrived at Kouransha, a local business that provides Arita ware products for Japan's imperial palace, and met with owner Yuuji Fukawa.

Then, the delegation had a business lunch with representatives of local ceramic associations, including Mr. Gen Harada, president of the Saga Prefecture Ceramics Industry Association, and Mr. Nagamasa Kihara, president of the Hizen Ceramics Commercial and Industrial Association.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited two of Japan's Living National Treasures. "Living National Treasure" is the title of the highest level in Japan's arts and crafts field – only 49 living artists have been awarded this title.

Mr. Manji Inoue, aged 87, hosted the delegation and had a warm conversation for over an hour, during which he mentioned that he had visited Shanghai 40 years ago and were amazed by the city. Mr. Inoue expressed his strong wish to visit Shanghai again through cooperation with the museum.

Known as the No. 1 white porcelain artist in Japan, Mr. Inoue told the delegation the reason for his persistence in making white porcelain: "The most beautiful woman does not need any makeup; what I pursue is such extreme beauty of nature."

Afterward, the delegation visited the kiln of Imaizumi Imaemon and was welcomed by Living National Treasure, the 14th generation of Imaizumi Imaemon, who came all the way from Tokyo that day to meet the delegation. As Japan's youngest Living National Treasure in arts and crafts, Mr. Imaizumi expressed strong interest in cooperation with the museum. Never having visited China, he wished that Shanghai Art Collection Museum will be the first step in China.

The next morning, the delegation visited the Saga Prefectural Kyushu Ceramics Museum and Arita Ceramics Museum with the company of related representatives, gaining a more thorough understanding of the history of ceramics in Saga Prefecture.

After the visit, the delegation went to the birthplace of Arita ware.

As a unique category of ceramics in Japan, Arita ware is different from common porcelain in that all works are made from pottery stone and the artistic style has a strong reference from painted porcelain in China. Local pottery stone were first discovered by Korean potter Yi Sam-pyeong.

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the historical Ogawa-uchiyama in Imari.

Located in Imari, Saga, Ogawa-uchiyama is famous for the production of Nabeshima ware. Works produced in the area could only be used by local aristocrats or the imperial family in history. Now it has also become a well-known cultural tourist spot for its beautiful scenery.

During the short 4-day visit, the delegation had deep exchanges with local artists, government officials and representatives from various organizations, who strongly expect that cooperation with Shanghai Art Collection Museum will result in mutual benefit through the combination of culture and business.