Japanese ceramics are admired, studied, and collected around the world. There are hundreds of historical and modern kilns throughout Japan, including Oribe, Seto, Shigaraki, Shino, Arita (Imari), Tamba, Bizen, Kyo-yaki, and Kutani. There are also a great number of individual artists, past and present.
While there is a great appreciation for refined studio pieces, there is also high regard for the simple beauty of everyday items used by ordinary people. These unassuming folk art (mingei) pieces can be primitive, playful, and profound, revealing much about the human spirit.