Mr. & Mrs. Shibata Collection

This collection was given to Kyushu Ceramic Museum by Yuko (1944- ) and Akihiko (1940-2004) Shibata. In 1990, the Shibatas gave 2,476 pieces of porcelain to the Kyushu Ceramic Museum, and the following year, they gave an additional 299 pieces. In 1993, to commemorate the opening of the exhibition room, Mr. and Mrs. Shibata gave a further 627 fine examples of porcelain. On 19 separate occasions over ten years, from the opening of the exhibition room to 2003, they donated additional pieces of porcelain to the Kyushu Ceramic Museum. Altogether the gifts from the Shibatas amount to 10,311 examples of porcelain, making this one of the largest collections of Arita porcelain.
This notable Arita porcelain collection was gathered comprehensively and systematically, and is highly regarded as an extremely valuable scholastic resource which has no parallel in the world. It was the first to be registered as a Tangible Cultural Property (Fine Arts and Crafts) in the Crafts category and was registered under the name “Arita Porcelain (Mr. and Mrs. Shibata Collection).”
The Shibata Collection centers on porcelain produced in Arita from the beginning of the Edo period to the Bakumatsu era (1610-1860s), and encompasses all representative types and transitions in style and technique. In this exhibition space multiple themes are presented, including displays elucidating the special characteristics of each period of Arita porcelain production and changes in manufacturing technique.

Large lobed dish with lotus, flower, and spiral design in underglaze cobalt blue

Small dish with scrolling flower design in underglaze cobalt blue

Bowl in white porcelain

Dish with hare, moon, and blown ink design in underglaze cobalt blue

Gourd-shaped bottle with grass design in iron glaze, pale blue glaze, and celadon glaze

Lobed dish with bird and chrysanthemum design in overglaze polychrome enamel

Square dish with Mount Fuji design in overglaze polychrome enamels and pale blue glaze

Large dish with Chinese lion, peony, cherry blossoms, chrysanthemum flower, and plum design in underglaze cobalt blue

Large lobed dish with sparrow, deer, bamboo, maple, and scrolling flower design in celadon glaze

Large leaf-shaped tripod dish with bird design in underglaze cobalt blue and celadon glaze

Lobed dish with shrimp and water plant design in underglaze cobalt blue

Octagonal dish with a design of the story of Shiba Onko (Sima Qian) in overglaze polychrome enamels

Bowl with flowering plants, cloud, and linked diaper pattern design in overglaze polychrome enamels

Chrysanthemum flower-shaped bowl with chrysanthemum flower, stylized flower, rhombic flower pattern, and cloud design in overglaze polychrome enamels

Coffee urn with phoenix and rock design in underglaze cobalt blue

Jar and vase with cherry, peony, and curtain design in overglaze polychrome enamels

Small bowl with flowering plants and landscape design in overglaze polychrome enamels

Small lidded bowl with flower in a vase and scrolling peony design in overglaze polychrome enamels

Large lidded jar with hydrangea, chrysanthemum, and peony design in overglaze polychrome enamels

Stacking box with Chinese lion and meander pattern design in overglaze polychrome enamels

Profiles of Mr. and Mrs. Shibata

Shibata Akihiko

Shibata Akihiko was born in Tokyo in 1940. He graduated from Keio University in 1963 and then managed a food company. He was first attracted to Arita porcelain while in his twenties, and from then forward, systematically collected examples, comparing the historic changes in Arita ware during the Edo period with those of the cultural lifestyles of the regions in which the porcelain was used. Mr. Shibata has donated his collection, part to this museum and part to the British Museum in London, in the hope that it will be preserved forever as part of the historical and cultural heritage of Arita, the region in which the pieces were produced. He passed away on May 21, 2004 (age 64).

Shibata Yuko

Shibata Yuko was born in Tokyo in 1944. She graduated from Seisen University in 1967 and married Akihiko Shibata the same year. She has run a trading company since 1973. Attracted by antiques in her teens, she has, with her husband, collected pieces of Arita porcelain produced mainly during the Edo period. Mrs. Shibata's entire collection has been donated to this museum.