Imari/Arita-yaki has a 400-year history, starting with its birth as Japan's first porcelain. The production area, centred in Arita-cho in Saga prefecture, has inherited a legacy of attractive artistry that encompasses a rich culture and a variety of techniques, ranging from traditional hand techniques such as painting and potter's wheels to mass production techniques. However, as in other traditional craft production areas throughout Japan, the situation is becoming more difficult due to a shortage of skilled craftspersons and successors, declining sales, and the rising costs of raw materials and fuel. The Saga Ceramics Research Laboratory was established roughly 100 years ago as a public testing and research institute to provide research and support for the ceramic production areas in Saga Prefecture. It has been providing production and marketing support for the production areas as well. We are considering what we can do for the next 100 years and what will be needed, as well as how we can make this industry more attractive in the future.

There are various constraints incurred by the complex porcelain manufacturing process, which includes shaping methods, painting techniques, the color of the paints, changes due to drying and firing, and the appearance of glazes. We thought that one way to support the production areas would be to develop a collection of samples and tools to communicate this information in an easy to understand way. By creating a tool to collect the characteristics of porcelain materials and the colors of paints for which there were no common standards or samples in the production areas, we were able to help others understand the characteristics of Imari/Arita porcelain and use them in product development and business negotiations. In addition, by creating a ceramic design application for colors and painting, which are both important features of Arita-yaki, this traditional culture can be more widely promoted.