1616 / arita japan
From Arita's 400-year craft to the modern table.
1616 / arita japan rethinks Arita porcelain for everyday life. It is produced by Momota Touen in Arita, Saga — a kiln with deep roots in the region's ceramic history. Launched in 2012, the brand expanded internationally after exhibiting at Salone del Mobile Milano, and is now carried in more than 20 countries, mainly in Europe. With TY "Standard" by creative director Teruhiro Yanagihara at its core, the collections let you choose by line, color, and clay — quiet pieces that make food and space feel more composed.
PROFILE Company & Brand Story
Named after the year porcelain production began in Arita, 1616 / arita japan is produced by Momota Touen in Arita, Saga. The Momota family has ties to the kilns that served the Nabeshima domain — the feudal patrons of Arita's finest porcelain — and the kiln continues to work with local craftspeople, carrying forward regional know-how while exploring what tableware can be for contemporary life.
Launched in 2012, the brand expanded internationally after exhibiting at Salone del Mobile Milano, and today it is available in more than 20 countries, mainly in Europe. At the center is TY "Standard" by creative director Teruhiro Yanagihara — a complete set of everyday forms in pale white and grey that quietly supports any cuisine. TY Palace Plate, created specifically for Palace Hotel Tokyo, brings that same language to a more refined format: an outline that frames food gently.
Each collection invited into the brand has a distinct voice. S&B "Colour Porcelain" by Dutch design duo Scholten & Baijings plays with layered hues inspired by traditional Japanese color references. PC "Outline" by Pierre Charpin focuses on the beauty of a clean edge. CMA "Clay" by Cecilie Manz offers two clay bodies — classic white porcelain and an earthy grey — so that material itself becomes part of the selection.
There are two key places to experience the brand in person. In Tokyo, the Palace Hotel Tokyo store presents TY Palace Plate and the wider collection, set in an appropriately considered space. In Arita, Momota Touen renewed its headquarters showroom to focus entirely on 1616 / arita japan — letting visitors choose pieces in the air of the town that has produced fine porcelain for four centuries.
TY Standard — The Quiet Baseline
Designed by creative director Teruhiro Yanagihara, TY Standard forms the backbone of the brand. Plates, bowls, and mugs share a calm geometry in pale white or grey. Pieces mix and match across sizes, and the collection grows naturally over time without visual disruption.
TY Palace Plate — Made for Palace Hotel Tokyo
TY Palace Plate was created for Palace Hotel Tokyo. The flower-like outline frames food gently, creating natural visual breathing room. Available in multiple sizes — side plate, cake plate, dinner plate — and works equally well as gifting or daily use.
S&B Colour Porcelain — Subtle Layers of Color
The Dutch design duo Scholten & Baijings brings a soft palette inspired by traditional Japanese color references. Mix one or two S&B pieces into a neutral TY set and the whole table gains rhythm — without losing composure.
CMA Clay — Choose the Material, Not Just the Shape
Cecilie Manz designed CMA Clay with two clay bodies: classic white Arita porcelain and a natural earthy grey using unprocessed raw materials. Both share the same understated forms — the choice comes down to the mood of the surface.
PRODUCTS Featured Products & Services
TY Palace Plate 160 — 1616 / arita japan, Made in Arita
The TY Palace Plate in the 160mm size — ideal as a side plate, dessert plate, or amuse-bouche plate. Created for Palace Hotel Tokyo. Flower-like outline, clean white Arita porcelain. A popular gift piece.
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TY Standard Mug with Handle — 1616 / arita japan, Made in Arita
The TY Standard mug with handle — the everyday entry point to the collection. Pale white Arita porcelain, calm geometry. For coffee, tea, or any daily drink. Mixes naturally with the full TY range.
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S&B Colour Porcelain Mug — Scholten & Baijings × 1616 / arita japan
The S&B mug in Scholten & Baijings' colour porcelain range — soft layered hues inspired by traditional Japanese colors. Use as a single accent piece within a neutral TY set, or collect multiple colors.
View DetailsMEDIA Media, Awards & Initiatives
- Exhibited at Salone del Mobile Milano 2012. Available in more than 20 countries, mainly in Europe. Featured in international design media. TY Palace Plate created for Palace Hotel Tokyo.