Imari ware

The story

Imari is the name of the port from which Arita’s porcelain was shipped, and over time it came to describe a look: deep blue under the glaze, with red and gold enamels painted over it, crowded and bold.

Pieces in this style were made for export and for the Japanese table alike, and its dense, decorative patterns are still among the most recognisable in Japanese ceramics.

What to look for

• Cobalt blue under the glaze
• Red and gold painted on the glaze
• Dense floral and geometric patterns