The Piece

Fukagawa Arita Porcelain Dinner Plates
Japan

A refined set of white hard-paste porcelain dinner plates, delicately adorned with restrained brown and gold floral sprays and finished with a fine gilt rim. Understated, balanced, and unmistakably Japanese in discipline.

These are not decorative filler pieces. They are the result of a porcelain tradition that dates back over 400 years.

Primary Description

Produced by Fukagawa Seiji, one of the most respected names in Japanese porcelain, these plates embody the quiet precision that defines Arita ware. The porcelain body is bright and smooth, with a clean, high-fired finish that speaks to the quality control for which Fukagawa is known.

The decoration is intentionally minimal. Three small floral clusters—rendered in warm sepia and gold—float near the rim, leaving the central field open and elegant. The thin gold band along the edge adds just enough luminosity without overwhelming the form.

The restraint is deliberate. Japanese porcelain often favors asymmetry and negative space, and this pattern honors that tradition beautifully.

Unlike many Western mid-century dinner services that leaned into heavy ornamentation, this set relies on proportion, balance, and material quality.

About Fukagawa & Arita Porcelain

Fukagawa Seiji was founded in 1894 in Arita, the historic center of Japanese porcelain production. Arita porcelain—also called Imari ware in export markets—has been produced since the early 17th century and became globally recognized through trade with Europe.

Fukagawa gained international attention after exhibiting at the 1900 Paris Exposition and has remained synonymous with fine porcelain craftsmanship.

For historical reference:

Fukagawa Seiji Official History
https://www.fukagawa-seiji.co.jp

Arita Ware Historical Overview
https://aritaware.jp

Arita porcelain is prized for its hard-paste composition, translucency, and refined glazing techniques—qualities that distinguish it from softer commercial china.

Condition

These plates present beautifully.

The porcelain remains bright and even, with no visible cracks or structural damage observed. The gold rim shows only light wear consistent with age and use. Surface markings are minimal and typical for vintage dinnerware.

Overall, the set reads clean, cohesive, and well cared for.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

Because refinement ages better than trends.

These plates transition effortlessly between formal and modern interiors. They layer beautifully with gold flatware, crisp linens, and contemporary ceramics. The minimal floral motif keeps the table from feeling sterile, while the open white field allows food to remain the focal point.

They don’t demand attention. They earn it.