- 1900
- The Gold Medal of Honor at the International Exposition in Paris.
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- 1904
- First Prize at the International Exhibition in St.Luis (The prizewinning art object, a gigantic temple jar of 7 feet in height, is still exhibited at Philadelphia Civic Center today.)
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- 1915
- Grand Prize for at the International Exposition to Commemorate the opening of the Panama Canal.
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- 1950
- First Prize for a Dinner Set from the Minister of Commerce and Industry of Japan. Fifty Seven other prizes have been awarded Fukagawa, at both foreign and domestic exhibitions.
A Korean potter named Ri Sampei who was brought to Japan by the then Shogunate Hideyoshi Toyotomi, first found the white stone of Mt.Izumiyama in town of Arita in Saga Prefecture, Japan in 1616.
Fukagawa work shop in 1800th.(Meiji era)
Chuji Fukugawa established “Fukugawa Seiji” (the Fukugawa Porcelain Manufacturing Company) in 1894, setting his sights on attaining the highest level of porcelain craftsmanship ever achieved at that time around the world. He also used a logo design of Mt. Fuji with a running stream as his company’s trademark.
Expo exhibition hall for art craft
Chuji Fukugawa together with his group consisting of some of the best craftsmen of that time, exhibited their creations at the International Expo in 1900, for which they won the most coveted prize i.e. the gold medal. In addition, the group repeated their success by winning another gold medal at the International Expo in St. Louise in 1904.
Chuji Fukagawa ‘s order book from the exhibition
Presently, a pair of giant urns that stand at the entrance of the Musée Cernuschi Paris (the Cernuschi Art Museum in Paris) are both masterpieces created by Chuji Fukugawa. The reason for the adherence to the style of porcelain manufactured products of the Fukugawa Seiji company can be traced back to the founding philosophy that “high temperature firing makes for the integrity of the porcelain” and this has helped keep their position as purveyor for the Imperial Household since 1910.
Chuji Fukagawa’s book of designs
The designs reflect European influence in their symmetrical organization. Chuji Fukagawa’s travels to Europe may have included study of the European ceramic traditions of Spode, Wedgwood, Meissen and Royal Copenhagen wares. In Europe he would have gained knowledge of Western taste which has continued to influence his company’s decoration to the present.
"The Chuji Fukagawa’s book of designs" can be said to have embodied his spirit, passion and complete being as he always said "Pottery is the composite art"
Plate displayed at the exhibition(Floral octagonal serving plate)
“Chuji Fukagawa’s Road to Europe is reproduced after 100 years.”
One hundred years after the International Exposition held in Paris in 1900, “The Fukagawa Exhibition” was held in Paris again. Ms. Keiko Fukagawa presented modern styles of products and it was during this time when the clock rolled back and Parisians welcomed and accepted Chuji Fukagawa’s philosophy of artwork, like they did 100 years ago. The excitement at the exhibition and record-breaking numbers of visitors was proof enough that Parisians still remembered the Fukagawa Porcelain Manufacturing Company even after a hundred years.
Fukagawa has a long and well known history in the USA
Fukagawa-Seiji had a strong history of selling a fair amount of their products in the USA for more than 30years during the period between the 1940’s to 1970's.
Even today, a great percentage of those items are still being used by their owners as their favorite pieces of tableware and this reflects the high quality of the products as they are truly long lasting.
Further, some of these items have been inherited by the original owners’ descendents and have become part of their family treasures. Truly, many people in the USA are aware of Fukagawa-Seiji and its unique beauty.
Our wish is that people all over the world enjoy our products as daily items for use and for gifts to loved ones as they are all both functionable and beautiful pieces of art.
Recent year bazaar at Fukagawa Seiji
Through the twentieth century, many porcelain-production companies have grown-up in Arita to provide wares for the world market. The Arita Ceramics Fair has been held on the sidewalks and in the storefront shops of Arita from May 1 to May 5 for the last eighty years. Here visitors from all over Japan and abroad crowd the streets to find bargains and see new products introduced.
