Arita-ware at Yutoku Inari Shrine
You can see the works of Arita ware in places other than Arita town, such as Yutoku Inari Shrine in Kashima City, Saga Prefecture.
Yutoku Inari Shrine, one of the three major Inari shrines in Japan, the others being Fushimi Inari shrine in Kyoto and Kasama Inari shrine in Ibaraki, is always crowded with people wishing for prosperity in business and family fortune. 3 million worshippers a year visit here.
Since it was also a major filming location for the Thai movie “Timeline”, many tourists not only from Japan but also from overseas visit the shrine.
At the entrance of the shrine, there is a magnificent gate, and the gods who protect the shrine sit on the front left and right sides of the gate.
These two guardian gods are porcelain statues made at the Iwao Taizan Kiln in Arita.
On the other side of the gate, porcelain plates of the 12th generation of Imaemon and 13th generation of Kakiemon are hung on the walls, as well as plates of the family crest of the feudal lord, Nabeshima clan, made at the Iwao Taizan kiln.
Please have a look at the works of Arita ware when you visit the shrine.
(R.H.)
