We are pleased to introduce Japanese traditional sophisticated crafts, such as Arita-ware (Imari) and Hakata dolls. Those high-grade works are all carefully handmade by famous artists. Process making, History and it’s Master
Hitachi TSUJI
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The Fourteenth Tsuji House, Hitachi TSUJI
Hitachi Tsuji is the 14th generation of the Tsuji House, a distinguished family that has been making porcelains for the Japanese Imperial Household for more than 300 years. Compared with other porcelain painters in Arita such as “Kakiemon” and “Imaemon”, the Tsuji name is not as well known by the public. One reason is the Tsuji House has worked mainly for Imperial Household, as a result its works having been unavailable on the market. Another reason for the Tsuji name not being well known is that the Tsuji have ready autographed their works. The Kakiemon House is called the kiln for the ordinary people, and the Imaemon House is called the kiln for the feudal domain, while the Tsuji House is called the kiln for the Imperial Household.
Working for the Imperial Household dictates the best porcelains be made all the time. Compared with “Somenishiki (Porcelain with Underdglaze Blue and Overglaze Enamels)”, “Sometuke (Blue Underglaze using cobalt oxide ((Gosu, in Japanese))) "requires delicate and demanding craftsmanship because all artistic effects must be expressed by the porcelain painters through the use of only one colour, cobalt blue. “Sometuke” porcelain have fascinated people all over the world throughout the age, and account for a significant percentage of the world’s porcelain and ceramics due to its popularity. However, very few porcelain painters produce “Sometuke” at present. Of these who do make Sometuke,the Fourteenth Tsuji, Hitachi Tsuji, is recognised as a superb artist crafts traditional arts to perfection.
The Legend Of Tsuji House
In Arita, the birthplace of white porcelain, the Tsuji House has 350-year history and superb technique for making white porcelain. Since the generation of Emperor Reign, the one hundred*eleventh Emperor (1664), the Tsuji House has been taking order of tableware from the Japanese Imperial Household. The House of Tsuji is the first kiln making white porcelain tableware for the Japanese Imperial Household. In Meiji Era, the Tsuji House has continued to make_ white porcelain tableware to the Japanese Imperial Household, and most of their works were supplied to the Japanese Household. Therefore, the works sold to private citizen. were quite few. It was extremely difficult for private citizen to purchase Tsuji's works. Accordingly, among people who love porcelains, the works of Tsuji were thought much of.
The third generation of Tsuji, Kiuemon, were peerless, and supplied excellent white porcelains to the Japanese Imperial Household. Kiuemon Tsuji won the admiration from Emperor Region. Through the Second master of feudal domain of Saga, Mr.Mitsushige Nabeshima, Tsuji took a determination as a kiln that makes porcelains for the Japanese Imperial Household, and received a special lantern with a pattern of the Imperial Chrysanthemum crest. The lantern was placed high position to light up the kiln covered by a hanging screen.
In 1706, the forth generation of Tsuji, Kiuemon took an order of direct porcelain's supply to the Japanese Imperial Household. As the Emperor's wishes, Kiuemon accepted an offi-cial position of "Hitachi-Daijyou", and was honoured with an imperial message and an Imperial cup.
In 1750, as a special treatment from the emperor, the sixth generation of Tsuji was given orders of porcelains directly from the Imperial Household. He was honoured with an imperial message and an Imperial cup.
In 1811, as a result of his special effort, the eighth generation of Tsuji invented a unique firing. The work from that firing reached an extreme beauty of porcelain, and was named "Gokushi,n-yaki".
In 1832, the ninth generation of Tsuji, Kiheiji was given "Shishindenzu", a hanging picture that shows emperor’s main hall for formal ceremonies and official work.
In 1844, the tenth generation of Tsuji was given "Oshitone"; the emperor's framed throne from Emperor Koukaku. It has been kept at the House of Tsuji as an heirloom.
In 1871, the eleventh generation of Tsuji, Katsuzo, resigned the official position of "Hitachi-Daijyou" as a result of Japanese government system reformation, and was giver an Imperial cup. In 1874, Tsuji was given order of all tableware used at the Japanese Imperial Household. Katsuzo made the first western-style white porcelains in Japan, and supplied them to the Japanese Imperial Household.
In 1879 the Tsuji reserved a title of "The purveyor to the Imperial Household" Since this emperor’s generation. the Tsuji has concentrated on making high-class porcelain arts and tableware for the Japanese Imperial Household. In these years, he sent his arts to exhibition inside/outside of Japan, and received prizes several times.
The present generation of the Tsuji House, Hitachi Tsuji never neglects his work and study. His work was applicable to fine art, and he put traditional technique of "Somenishiki" (porcelain with underglaze blue and overglaze Enamels) to practical use of new and fully worked-out design. His work won the admiration in a field of art.
The fourteenth generation of the Tsuji House, Hitachi Tsuji, made western-style tableware with pattern of roses for the first time after the World War II. The Emperor and the Empress in Japan have been using them. He accepted an order with honour, making arabesque pattern "Sometsuke" (blue underglaze using cobalt oxide on white porcelain) plates with the Imperial Chrysanthemum crest.
In Spring of 1990, Hitachi Tsuji made a cup for the coming-of-age ceremony of th Imperial princess Norinomiya.
In fall of 1990, Hitachi Tsuji made a golden cup for "Daijyousai" of enthronement, and the Emperor accepted with pleasure.
