Imariyaki is the general term for porcelain produced in Hizen and sold through the port of Imari in Hizen Province (Saga Prefecture), with Arita-yaki as the main type. However, Mikawachi ware was sold separately under the name of Hirado ware, as it was under the domain of the Hirado clan. Since Arita was the birthplace of porcelain in Japan, many craftsmen came from other regions to learn its techniques. Therefore, the Saga Clan strictly forbade potters from other countries from entering the production area, and the sales market was limited to the Imari area. For this reason, the products of Arita Naigaiyama were generally shipped out through Imari, and thus were known as Imariyaki. After the Meiji Restoration, Imari became not only an export port but also a production center, starting with Sakichi Motooka in 1895 (Meiji 28), followed by a porcelain kiln under a joint venture of pottery companies, and then in 1903 (Meiji 36), Rokuji Yanase started his own business. (History of Arita Pottery, The Complete Works of Yaichiro Kitamura)
