Notes:
Japanese potters, specifically Korean artisans brought to Japan, discovered porcelain clay (kaolin) in 1616 in the hills of Arita, Saga Prefecture. Led by potter Sam-pyeong Yi (or Ri Sanpei), this discovery allowed for the first production of porcelain in Japanese history, creating the foundation for famous Arita ware
Arita ware (Japanese: 有田焼, Hepburn: Arita-yaki) is a broad term for Japanese porcelain made in the area around the town of Arita, in the former Hizen Province, northwestern Kyūshū island. It is also known as Hizen ware (肥前焼, Hizen-yaki) after the wider area of the province. This was the area where the great majority of early Japanese porcelain, especially Japanese export porcelain, was made.
In English usage "Arita ware" was traditionally used for the export wares in blue and white porcelain, mostly copying Chinese styles. It is now recognized that the same kilns often made more than one of type of decoration, and "Arita ware" is more often used as a term for all of them. The brightly coloured Kutani ware is another type that is now recognised as coming from around Arita as well as the Kutani itself, and "Kutani-type" is used as a stylistic description.
History
According to sources, the Korean potter Yi Sam-pyeong (d. 1655), or Kanagae Sanbee (金ヶ江三兵衛), is often considered the father of Arita ware porcelain.
The first porcelain made in Japan followed the discovery of porcelain clay near Arita near the end of the 16th century. A number of kilns opened up in the area, and a considerable variety of styles were made,
