KORANSHA

Koransha is a long-established Arita porcelain manufacturer headquartered in Arita, Saga Prefecture. The origins of the company go back to 1689, when the first generation Eizaemon Fukagawa began producing porcelain in the Hizen Arita area. In response to growing domestic and overseas demand, the eighth generation Eizaemon Fukagawa brought together leading potters, decorators and merchants of the time to form the Koransha partnership in 1875, which was reorganized as Koransha Gomei Kaisha, now Koransha Co., Ltd., in 1879.

From the Meiji era onward, Koransha played an important role in exporting Arita ware overseas. The company exhibited at many international expositions, including the Philadelphia and Paris World Expositions, where its works received honors and awards. In 1896 Koransha was appointed as a purveyor to the Imperial Household Ministry, and even after the official system was abolished after World War II, it has continued to supply porcelain to the Imperial Household.

Manufacturing at Koransha is characterized by a division-of-labor system led by experienced craftspeople. Production begins with the careful selection and analysis of clay, followed by techniques such as drain casting, pressure casting and wheel forming, chosen according to the shape of each item. After trimming and smoothing the body, pieces are biscuit-fired at around 900 degrees Celsius, then decorated with underglaze blue and overglaze enamels, glazed and fired at around 1,300 degrees. Finally, each piece is inspected by hand and only those that meet strict standards are packed and shipped.

Today Koransha operates factories in Arita, Saga Prefecture, and Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, producing a wide range of products including tableware, art pieces, memorial urns and Buddhist items, insulators and fine ceramics. The official online shop offers a broad selection across categories such as plates, bowls, tea, cups, sake ware, interior goods, small tabletop items, kaleidoscopes and glass, with collections under the Koransha and by koransha brands as well as a dedicated memorial line.

Guided by the philosophy of continuing to enrich everyday life as times change, Koransha builds on more than four centuries of Arita porcelain history and the spirit of craftsmanship of the Fukagawa family. By constantly refining materials and production technologies and exploring new modes of expression, the company creates porcelain that balances tradition and innovation while sharing the beauty and skill of Japanese craftsmanship with the world.

More than 300 years of Arita porcelain history

Koransha traces its origins to 1689, when the first generation Eizaemon Fukagawa started porcelain production in Arita. In 1875, leading artisans and merchants of the time came together to form the Koransha partnership, and in 1879 the company was reorganized as Koransha Gomei Kaisha, one of the earliest incorporated ceramics companies in Kyushu. Since the Meiji era, Koransha has exhibited at world expositions such as Philadelphia and Paris, receiving numerous awards, and has long been known as a leading kiln of Arita porcelain.

In-house production led by skilled craftspeople

Koransha porcelain is produced mainly at its own factories in Arita, Saga Prefecture, and Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, by craftspeople who have inherited traditional techniques. From body preparation, slip casting, pressure casting and wheel throwing to trimming, biscuit firing, underglaze and overglaze decoration, glazing, high-temperature firing and final inspection, each process is handled by specialists in a division-of-labor system. Careful control of clay composition, glaze formulation and firing conditions ensures consistent quality from everyday tableware to fine art pieces.

A diverse lineup for everyday life and life milestones

The range includes plates, bowls, rice bowls, tea items, cups and saucers, mugs, sake ware, interior objects, kaleidoscopes and glass pieces, offering many options for daily use and gifts. Under the flagship Koransha brand, classic series such as Orchid Lace and Shukaido sit alongside modern lifestyle collections like by koransha and a dedicated memorial line of urns and Buddhist items. Koransha also manufactures insulators and fine ceramics for industrial applications, exploring the potential of porcelain beyond the dining table.