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Largest selection of Japanese ceramics by first-ranked artists

• This kiln's Ceramics

Artist :
SHOMURA Ken
SHOMURA Hisaki

Profile

Banko Kiln is the place of ten minutes' drive from the Arita station, JR Sasebo Line, and is also ten minutes' drive from the Hasamiarita interchange of Nishi Kyushu expressway. It faces Prefectural Route 281, commonly called Sarayama-dori Avenue. That is the main street of annual Arita pottery festival where many tourists visit. Once the potter lived in Akaemachi to paint overglaze enamel for Nabashima clan and the district of craftsmen is protected by Sueyama-shrine which worships Li Sampei who started making Arita Ware. The atmosphere is still retaining as it used to be. Banko Kiln was established in 1884, had named from the first generation potter's name. Arita's history comes along by the white plastered wall buildings. The fifth generation potter SHOMURA, Ken is working at Banko Kiln now. The large plate hangs on top of the wall at the entrance, the name is "Peacock design in overglaze enamel" . The gallery is the right side of the building and porcelains are exhibited made by Ken. Hisaki who is Ken's son is also the ceramic artist and his porcelains are also displayed in the gallery. Overseas tourists visit the kiln so many times to see the clear, soft expression of the glaze with excellent technique.

Address : 1-2-3 Akaemachi, Arita-cho, Nishimatsuura-gun, Saga 844-0006 Japan
Visiting hours : 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Artists

SHOMURA, Ken
He is the artist who carries the tradition of glazing technique by the Banko Kiln which was founded in 1884. Many of his arts using red or blue tint are very delicately crafted.

SHOMURA, Hisaki
He is the genius of Arita known around the world. He uses the soil's power to express his original beauty by sharp curving (Received an encouragement prize in the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition).