What is 1616 / arita japan?

What is 1616 / arita japan?

1616 / arita japan is a brand series of Arita ware that began with Teruhiro Yanagihara as creative director, in collaboration with the Dutch designer unit Scholten & Baijings.

Until recently, it was not uncommon to hear comments about Arita ware such as:

"Looks like something my grandmother would have."
"Pieces with many patterns."
"Images of vases and decorative plates."

However, the birth of 1616 / arita japan represents a series that clearly shows a different direction from the general impression of Arita ware.

Arita Town in Saga Prefecture, the home of Arita ware, is where Ri Sanpei first fired porcelain in Japan in 1616. Within this region, which boasts a history of over 400 years, Arita ware has fostered a remarkably wide range of expressions.

Sometsuke, Hakuji, Akae, Kinrande, Kakiemon style. The fact that Arita ware cannot be defined by a single style is, in itself, a characteristic of Arita ware.

Amongst this diversity, 1616 / arita japan stands apart from traditional Arita ware by minimizing decoration and prioritizing form, negative space, and lines.

Design with Minimal Decoration

A defining feature of 1616 / arita japan is its simple aesthetic, which has been stripped of as much ornamentation as possible.

Form, negative space, and lines themselves take center stage.

Some series even feature an intentionally unglazed finish, quietly updating the conventional image of Arita ware.

The "Palace" Series, Born from Hotel Use

The most popular item in the 1616/arita japan collection, the "Palace Plate," was created as Arita ware specifically for the Palace Hotel Tokyo, a renowned and prestigious Japanese hotel that reopened in 2012.

It possesses a simple elegance, yet is also affordable enough for everyday use, making it a magical vessel that beautifully presents whatever is served on it.

Additionally, I believe that the series' unique characteristics include oven-safe options and the use of materials resistant to oil stains, demonstrating a strong emphasis on practicality beyond its aesthetic appeal.

Not "New," but Rather "Another Option"

Rather than changing Arita ware, 1616 / arita japan feels like it created a new option within Arita ware.

There is also flamboyant Arita ware.
There are also traditional styles that have been passed down since the Edo period.

Meanwhile, this series quietly demonstrates that "such simple expressions are also a form of Arita ware."

Those who already have a certain image of Arita ware may especially enjoy a new perspective, realizing, "Oh, there's this kind of Arita ware too."

For more details on the design and series composition of 1616 / arita japan, please visit their official website. We encourage those interested to take a look.

→ 1616 / arita japan Official Website