Koransha is a long-established brand of Arita pottery, founded in 1879 by the eighth generation Eizaemon Fukagawa, and has been a driving force in the Arita pottery industry since its establishment.
From the very beginning, the company has been committed to exporting its products overseas and has exhibited at world expositions around the world. Riding the wave of the Japonism boom, the company has also actively innovated its manufacturing techniques, and the resulting works of art have won many awards. Since then, the company’s tableware for home use has become particularly popular as gifts, and is loved by many people both in Japan and overseas.
The company is also known for being the first in Japan to produce porcelain insulators based on its porcelain manufacturing technology, and it continues to support the electric power, telecommunications, and railway infrastructure industries.
In addition, the company is a pioneer in fine ceramics produced using the same technology, and is currently involved in manufacturing in three areas: art, tableware, and insulators.

 

香蘭社は1879年に8代深川栄左衛門が創業した有田焼の老舗ブランドで、創業以来、有田焼業界を牽引してきました。
会社創立直後から海外輸出に尽力し、世界各国で開催された万国博覧会に出品。ジャポニズムブームの追い風に乗り、製造技術の革新も積極的に行って生み出された美術品は、多くの賞を受賞しました。以来、家庭用食器は特にギフトとして人気で、国内外でたくさんの人に愛されています。
また、会社創立前から磁器製造の技術をベースにして日本で初めて磁器の絶縁器具「碍子」の製造に取り組んだことでも知られており、電力、通信ネットワーク、鉄道インフラなどを陰で支えています。
さらに、その技術を応用したファインセラミクスの先駆者でもあり、現在は、美術品・食器、碍子、ファインセラミクスの3つの部門でものづくりに取り組んでいます。

 

 

<Program content and time required (approximately 2 hours)>.

 

Meeting Place: Koransha parking lot

 

1. Orientation

•     – Special orientation by Koransha staff
•     – Explanation of the construction period of the Koransha building and what it was like at that time.

 

2. Hospitality from the pottery using the VIP room (not open to the public)

•     – You can choose your favorite piece from Koransha’s collection and enjoy a cup of tea etc.
•     – You can listen to an explanation about the history and characteristics of Koransha, the purpose of the VIP room and what it was like at that time.

 

3. Tour of the Old Porcelain Gallery

•     – Reflect on the history of Arita-yaki while admiring the works on display.
•     – Admire the works that were presented to the Imperial Household Agency and those that were exhibited at the World Expo.
•     – Learn about the history of the production of insulators.

 

4. Visit to the Insulator Factory (non-public area)

•     – You will be given a special tour of the Insulator Factory, which is normally closed to the public.
•     – You will learn about the characteristics of Arita-yaki insulators and the manufacturing process.

 

5. Tour of the Gallery / Purchase of Souvenirs

•     – After seeing the entire production process, you will be able to appreciate the works in the gallery.
•     – You can also shop in the gallery.

 

 

＜プログラム内容・所要時間（約２時間）＞

 

集合場所：香蘭社駐車場

 

１. オリエンテーション

• 　●香蘭社のスタッフによる特別案内
• 　●香蘭社の建物の建設時期や当時の様子について説明

 

２. 貴賓室を利用した窯元からのおもてなし（非公開エリア）

• 　●香蘭社の器の中からお好みのものを選んでお茶などのおもてなしを受ける
• 　●香蘭社の歴史や特徴と貴賓室が作られた目的や当時の様子について説明を聞く

 

３. 古陶磁陳列館の見学

• 　●作品を鑑賞しながら有田焼の歴史を振り返る
• 　●宮内庁に納める作品や万博に出品された作品を鑑賞する
• 　●碍子の製造に至る歴史についても学ぶ

 

４. 碍子工場の見学（非公開エリア）

• 　●通常非公開エリアである碍子工場を特別に見学する。/li>
• 　●有田焼で作られる碍子の特徴や製造工程を学ぶ

 

５. ギャラリーの見学/手土産購入

• 　●制作工程を全て見学した後でギャラリーの作品を鑑賞
• 　●ギャラリーにてお買い物