On November 17 and 18, 2023, the event “Go Forward 2023” was organized by “NEXTRAD,” a team of 13 kiln owners from Imari and Arita in Saga Prefecture working to ensure a sustainable future for the Arita ware industry. The event aimed to raise awareness about the craftsmanship of Arita ware and the current situation and challenges faced by the industry. It featured exhibitions showcasing the manufacturing processes and initiatives of various kilns, open studio tours allowing visitors to observe the production sites, and workshops providing hands-on experiences in the creation of Arita ware.

The event, held annually since 2021 and now in its third edition, marked a significant occasion as it was the first time it took place since the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions on public events. A portion of the event was organized and co-hosted with the “Monosugo TOUR” planned and managed by Saga Prefecture. Monosugo TOUR is a tour designed to convey the charm and enjoyment of craftsmanship to a wide range of age groups by arranging visits to manufacturing companies and workshops in Saga Prefecture. The “Imari and Arita ware Craftsman Experience Tour,” a part of “Go Forward 2023,” had nearly 500 applications for its 60 available slots, attracting many families and contributing to improvements in audience engagement, which had been a challenge during the pandemic.

Itchin is a technique where lines are drawn by squeezing out slip (liquid clay) from a syringe. The squeezed out part rises up and becomes a pattern. This is the most difficult of the three techniques that visitors could experience at the event. Depending on the pressure applied while squeezing the syringe and the speed at which one draws, it is difficult to control the amount of slip – too much might come out or it might get clogged. Drawing with slip is not as straightforward as using a brush or a pencil. Nevertheless, the participants seriously engaged in the challenge with the help of Yoshiyasu Harada of Kichiemon Porcelain, who showed them how to do it. When they succeeded in creating a good drawing, the sense of accomplishment was truly remarkable.

Tamori Toen, located in Imari, is a kiln that engages in the production of porcelain as well as ceramic and semi-porcelain, showcasing a wide range of craftsmanship. During the open studio event, they offered activities such as observing painting and glazing as well as hands-on experiences like slip casting and unloading kilns. The kiln unloading experience was especially exciting, as several children worked together to pull out the kiln carts and were surprised at how hot the temperature around the newly unloaded products was. The children were full of curiosity, asking questions like “Which process is the most challenging?” and “How much time does it take to load the kiln?” After the tour, Katsuyuki Tanaka of Tamori Toen expressed his delight, saying, “I’m happy that everyone was so actively asking questions. I hope that this experience helped the visitors better understand that everyday tableware is made one by one with a lot of time and effort.”

Located next to Kichiemon Porcelain is Yagenji-gama, a kiln known for its expertise in various design embellishments. The guide, Shinpei Momota, who joined NEXTRAD last year, is a new member but very active, providing detailed explanations for each step. The colorful products captured the participants’ interest, prompting questions about itchin and tensha like “Is this mark a decal?” or “How do you create the raised parts?”, connecting them effectively to the hands-on workshops held after the tour.