Japanese porcelain, particularly Blue-and-white porcelain, Kakiemon, Kutani and Imari found its way in the brief period of export towards the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century through the offices of the Dutch East India Compagny.

Coming from the kilns of Arita and familiar in the West, the Japanese blue-and-white porcelain gains its own style. The “Imari” ware, in which enamels are combined with underglaze blue often offers crowded compositions.
Among enamelled wares are the so-called “Kakiemon” style. About 1640 one Sakaida Kakiemon is credited with having perfected the earliest enamel pigments and, about 1660 wares were being decorated in a specific palette which

has since become associated with the family name. These wares were intended primary for domestic use. With the age of European maritime expansion and the monopoly trading concession got by Dutch, through their East India Compagny,
Kakiemon wares going to be exported to the West, and even assuming Western forms. In the late 17th century Kakiemon family kiln produced a particularly fine, milky-white porcelain, with shapes distinguished by clean lines, and designs of a sparse asymmetry. The ware was singled out by 18th century porcelain collectors.
Porcelain of Kutani is enjoyed for its rich styles of enamel decoration. The palette is rich : blue, green, yellow, red. The old kuntani, called “Ko-kutani”, employed a deep green enamel with a palette included a typical dark red. The “green-Kutani” is a variety from 19th century of Ko-Kutani.

Elegance, discreet and original are the hallmaks of Nabeshima wares which are one of the most refined porcelain made in Japan. the Nabeshima family commanded the finest craftmen and the finest material, and, ordered the transfer of their official kiln to Okawaki in 1675. It produced mostly of sets of dishes and other table wares for the use of the family. It was also used for gifts to other branches of the feudal nobility.

Hirado porcelain of Kyushu achieved a considerable success in the 19th century. Hirado ware is also of the finest materials, using Amakusa clay. Its decoration wich is often in a violet-toned-blue, includes landscape, animals, plant subjects. Hirado ware is also renowned for its fine moulded details, and many animals as well as floral subjects were produced.

Satsuma kilns of Kyushu, produced a fine, craqueled cream-white glazed ware with gilt designs and opaque “imperial” enamels. Satsuma ware acquired a considerable prestige abroad. The famous artists who embodied this production were Makuzu, Meizan, Kozan, Shozan, Kaizan, Shizan, Bizan Taizan Eizan, Kinkozan, Sozan, Itozan.