1616 / arita japan MANZ Hojicha Cup

Aritayaki, a kind of Japanese pottery, finds its roots in the ancient ceramics town of Arita located on Kyushu Island in southern Japan. It was in this town in the year 1616 that the Koreans first introduced the art of pottery to Japan. Today, Arita still produces ceramics made by local craftsmen using the distinctive ingredient of clay made from crushed stone. Inspired by the profound experience and skills of local Arita craftsmen, designer and creative director Teruhiro Yanagihara developed a new ceramics brand for the Momota–Touen Corporation.

Named after its origins, 1616 / arita japan products are produced in the same factories as the original Arita pottery but take a different design approach. 1616 / arita japan stands for contemporary products that can be used everyday, though made with the extraordinary workmanship, thinness and strength of original Arita-ware.

Teruhiro Yanagihara, the creative director of 1616 / arita japan, designed the Standard series and then invited Dutch designers Scholten & Baijings to develop their another line: Colour Porcelain. Both contributions throw new light on Japanese tradition, mixing Asian craftsmanship with European culture. While Teruhiro Yanagihara experiments with the clay and the usage of the pottery, Scholten & Baijings emphasize the dialogue between applied art and everyday use by means of colour and form.

The CMA Clay collection was released in 2022, following a 3-year collaboration with Danish designer, Cecilie Manz. The 47-piece porcelain dinnerware collection is produced in three ceramic workshops in Arita, Japan, and features a mix of flat, deep, low, and tall pieces designed for both Japanese and European kitchens. The stackable plates, dishes, and bowls are crafted from Arita's renowned porcelain clay, using both classic chalk-white and raw natural gray. The set combines glazed and unglazed finishes for a balanced, versatile aesthetic.