Arita, Saga

Infobox City Japan
Name=Arita
JapaneseName=有田町
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Region=Kyūshū
Prefecture=Saga Prefecture
District=Nishimatsuura District
Area_km2=65.80
PopDate=May 1, 2008
Population=21,125
Density_km2=321
Coords= coord|33|11|N|129|53|E|region:JP_type:city
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CityHallPostalCode=849-4153
CityHallAddress= 2202 Tachibe, Arita-chō, Saga-ken
CityHallPhone=0955-46-2111
CityHallLink = [http://www.town.arita.lg.jp/ Town of Arita] nihongo|Arita|有田町|Arita-chō is a town located in Nishimatsuura District, Saga, Japan. It is known for producing Arita porcelain, one of the traditional handicrafts of Japan. It also holds the largest ceramic fair in Western Japan, the Arita Ceramic Fair. This event is held from April 29 to May 5 every year and has thousands of stores and stalls lining the six-kilometer main street.

On March 21, 2003 the town of Nishi-Arita was incorporated into Arita.

Geography

Arita is located in the western part of Saga Prefecture, bordering Nagasaki Prefecture from its southwest to western sides. About 70% of the town is forest and mountains.

Adjoining municipalities

*Saga Prefecture: Imari, Takeo
*Nagasaki Prefecture: Hasami, Sasebo

History

*1889-04-01 - The modern municipal system is established. In accordance with this system the village of Sarayama is renamed and reclassified as the town of Arita. Also at this time the villages of Shin, Magarikawa and Ōyama are formed.
*1896-11-13 - The village of Shin is renamed Arita.
*1947-01-01 - The village of Arita becomes a town and is renamed Higashi-Arita.
*1954-04-01 - Higashi-Arita is incorporated into Arita.
*1955-04-01 - Magarikawa and Ōyama merge to form the village of Nishi-Arita.
*1956-01-01 - Several areas of Nishi-Arita are incorporated into Arita.
*1965-04-01 - Nishi-Arita becomes a town.
*2006-03-01 - Nishi-Arita is incorporated into Arita.

ister cities

*Meissen, Germany
*Jingdezhen, China

Education

Prefectural high schools

*Arita Technical High School

Municipal junior high schools

*Arita Junior High School
*Nishi-Arita Junior High School

Municipal elementary schools

*Arita Elementary School
*Arita Chūbu Elementary School
*Magarikawa Elementary School
*Ōyama Elementary School

Other schools

*Arita College of Ceramics

Transportation

Air

There are no airports in Arita. The closest airports are Saga Airport and Nagasaki Airport.

Rail

*Main station: Arita Station
**JR Kyushu, Sasebo Line: (To Takeo) - Kami-Arita - Arita - (To Sasebo)
**Matsuura Railway, Nishi-Kyūshū Line: Arita - Midaibashi - Kurogō - Zōshuku - Nishi-Arita - Ōgi - Yamadani - Meotoishi - (To Imari)

Road

*National highways
**National route 35
**National route 202
**National route 498

ightseeing

*The Kyushu Ceramic Museum (九州陶磁文化館, "Kyūshū Toji Bunkakan") houses large exhibits of old and modern style ceramics.
*The Porcelain Park is a ceramic centered theme park, and is modeled on the Zwinger Palace in Germany. Ceramic ware from the heyday of Arita are on display in the gallery.
*Arita Kan (有田館) has an exhibition of modern art porcelain, 400 different cups for coffee or tea and a theater with computerized puppets made of porcelain.
*"China On The Park" dates back to the end of the last century when the Fukugawa factory was chosen to provide the Imperial household with porcelain. This large and modern style facility contains a factory, galleries, shops and a restaurant.
*Tozan Shrine has a porcelain archway and other items of porcelain which, at other shrines, are usually made of stone. This shrine was and still is particularly revered by Arita’s ceramists.
*Rokuroza (ろくろ座), located near Kami-Arita Station, is a place where one can learn how to make pottery.

Famous Pottery From Arita

* Kakiemon
* Imari porcelain
* Nabeshima (see french version : http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nabeshima)

Potters From Arita

* Kakiemon Sakaeda, The 1^st Kakiemon
* Sakaida Kakiemon XIV, who is a Living National Treasure in Japan
* Imaizumi Imaemon XIII, who is a Living National Treasure in Japan
* Tsuji Hitachi
* Ryuzan Aoki
* Manji Inoue, who is a Living National Treasure in Japan

ee also

* Japanese pottery
* Yi Sam Pyong (Yi Sam-p'young; 1579-1655)
* Hakuji
* Izumi Mountain
* Karatsu-yaki – Produced in Saga. The most produced pottery in western Japan. Believed to have started in the 16th century. Greatly influenced by Korean potters.
* Koro
* Okawachiyama (see Nabeshima on Wikipedia France)

External links

* [http://www.arita.or.jp/index_e.html Arita town homepage]
* [http://www.blueandwhiteamerica.com/ceramics.html Map - Major Ceramic Kilns of Japan]
* [http://www.kyukeiren.or.jp/english/newsletter/no21/index.htm Kyushu Newsletter: Kyushu And Ceramics]