Saga Tamaya, based in Saga City, Saga Prefecture, will hold the "Manji Inoue Memorial Exhibition [Passing on the Craft: Manji, Yasunori, and Yuki Inoue, Three Generations]" (井上萬二追悼展 【技の継承・井上萬二・康徳・祐希 三代】) for six days, from Wednesday, October 14 to Monday, October 19, 2026, in the event hall on the 7th floor of its South Building.
The exhibition brings together masterpieces by Manji Inoue (井上萬二), a master of white porcelain who left a great mark on Japanese ceramics as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure), in remembrance of his achievements. It also shows works by three generations, including those of his eldest son Yasunori (康徳) and his grandson Yuki (祐希), who studied under him, looking ahead at the tradition and future of Arita ware and white porcelain. A special cafe, "Manji Inoue Kiln × firando CAFE" (井上萬二窯×firando CAFE), where sweets are served on Manji Inoue Kiln tableware, and the "Gold World – Gold Exhibition" (金世界 黄金展) are also held at the same venue.
The Path of a Living National Treasure Who Pursued the "Beauty of Nameless White," and the Skill Passed Down Through Three Generations
"If the form is poor, the beauty of white porcelain will not be born" (形悪ければ、白磁の美は生まれない). Manji Inoue's white porcelain, with its flowing forms stripped of all excess and its thoroughly clear, pure white texture, has continued to be highly regarded in Japan and overseas as the product of exceptional wheel-throwing skill and a clear sense of beauty.
The memorial exhibition shows representative works by Manji, who created many masterpieces. It also shows works by his eldest son Yasunori, who followed his father and established an original style, and by his grandson Yuki, who protects the tradition while opening up new possibilities for white porcelain with a fresh sensibility.
Work by the Late Manji Inoue, "White Porcelain Melon-Shaped Jar" (白磁瓜形 壺)
- Price: ¥3,080,000 (tax included)
- Size: diameter 32 cm × height 36 cm
Work by the Late Yasunori Inoue, "White Porcelain Bowl with Verdigris Glaze and Wave Pattern" (白磁緑青釉波文 鉢)
- Price: ¥1,760,000 (tax included)
- Size: diameter 54 cm × height 11.5 cm
Work by Yuki Inoue, "White Porcelain Vase with Pleated Flower Design" (白磁襞花 花瓶)
- Price: ¥220,000 (tax included)
- Size: diameter 16.4 cm × height 26 cm
Special Item for the Exhibition: Three Generations Sake Cups, "White Porcelain with Carved Pine, Bamboo, and Plum Design" (白磁松竹梅彫文 三代盃)
- Price: ¥110,000 (tax included)
- Quantity: Limited to 10 pieces (box inscription: 祐希識箱, signed by Yuki)
- The late Manji Inoue: White porcelain cup with carved pine design (白磁松彫文盃)
- The late Yasunori Inoue: White porcelain cup with carved bamboo design (白磁竹彫文盃)
- Yuki Inoue: White porcelain cup with carved plum design (白磁梅彫文盃)
Passing on the Craft: Manji, Yasunori, and Yuki Inoue
Manji Inoue, a Living National Treasure of white porcelain, passed away in July 2025. He was certified as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1995, so 2025 marked a 30-year milestone.
His personal motto was "Meito Muzatsu" (名陶無雑), and he said, "Good pottery has no distracting thoughts." True to those words, his works have a dignified presence that draws viewers in deeply. Yasunori Inoue built a unique world of blue glaze and carving and kept taking on new forms of expression with a free sensibility. Yuki Inoue, who inherited the skill and DNA passed down from his grandfather and father, is active as a ceramic artist bringing a fresh breeze to Arita ware.
Manji Inoue (井上萬二, Inoue Manji)
Career
- 1929: Born in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture
- 1971: Became a regular member of Japan Kogeikai (日本工芸会)
- 1971: Opened Manji Inoue Kiln (井上萬二窯)
- 1979: Received the Minister of Labour's commendation as a Contemporary Master Craftsman (労働大臣表彰 現代の名工)
- 1995: Designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure)
- 1997: Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon (紫綬褒章)
- 2003: Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (旭日中綬章)
- 2005: Named an Honorary Citizen of Arita Town
- 2025: Passed away
Yasunori Inoue (井上康徳, Inoue Yasunori)
Career
- 1958: Born in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture
- 1981: Graduated from the Department of Management Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Seikei University (成蹊大学); studied under his father Manji Inoue and entered the world of ceramics
- 1983: Selected for the first time for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (日本伝統工芸展)
- 1990: Became a regular member of Japan Kogeikai (日本工芸会)
- 2007: Received the Saga Shimbun Culture Encouragement Award (佐賀新聞文化奨励賞); received the Japan Kogeikai Award at the Western Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (西部伝統工芸展 日本工芸会賞)
- 2013: Won a prize at the 1st Tobikai Exhibition (第1回陶美会展)
- 2020: Passed away
Yuki Inoue (井上祐希, Inoue Yuki)
Career
- 1988: Born in Arita Town, Saga Prefecture
- 2012: Began studying under his grandfather Manji Inoue and entered the world of ceramics
- 2013: Selected for the Tobikai Exhibition (陶美会展)
- 2016: Received the Japan Kogeikai Western Branch Award at the Western Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (西部伝統工芸展 日本工芸会西部支部賞)
- 2017: Selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (日本伝統工芸展)
- 2021: Received the Saga Shimbun Culture Encouragement Award (佐賀新聞文化奨励賞)
- 2023: Selected for the Kyushu-Okinawa Exhibition (九州・沖縄展) of the Japan Ceramic Society Contemporary Ceramic Art Encouragement Award (日本陶磁協会現代陶芸奨励賞)
- 2025: Selected for the Western Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (西部伝統工芸展); selected for the Arita International Ceramics Exhibition (有田国際陶磁展)
Special Talk Show With Third-Generation Yuki Inoue
A special talk show will be held with third-generation Yuki Inoue, who carries on the tradition and will lead the next generation of white porcelain culture. He will talk about the "skill and spirit" he learned from his grandfather Manji, the thoughts he puts into making his works, and the future outlook for white porcelain.
- Date and time: Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 2:00 PM
- Venue: Saga Tamaya, South Building 7th floor, inside the event hall
- Admission: Free (no advance reservation required)
- Days the artist is scheduled to attend: Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2026
Held at the Same Time: Manji Inoue Kiln × firando CAFE
A special collaboration cafe, available only during this exhibition, will be set up inside the venue. Caramel sweets from firando, a popular sweets brand representing Hirado, where the Sugar Road began, and carefully selected Japanese black tea from Saga Prefecture are served on Manji Inoue Kiln tableware. Visitors can handle the vessels from the kiln of a Living National Treasure and enjoy their time with them.
MANGETSU -petit- Set
The set recreates the Western confection "Kyaramero" (伽羅メロ), which was brought from Portugal to Hirado. It melts softly at the temperature of the tongue and has a strikingly smooth texture. It is presented as a new encounter that changes the concept of caramel.
- Price: ¥1,500 (tax included)
Caramel Basque Cheesecake Set
- Price: ¥1,500 (tax included)
MANGETSU Pudding Light Set
- Price: ¥1,500 (tax included)
Cafe details
- Dates: Wednesday, October 14 to Monday, October 19, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (closes at 3:00 PM on the last day)
- Location: Inside the event hall on the 7th floor of the South Building
Quantities are limited, and items may sell out.
Held at the Same Time: Gold World – Gold Exhibition (金世界 黄金展)
The glow of "gold" is passed down across generations. Gold craft items made with the skill of traditional artisans, short swords, and other fine pieces that are also drawing strong attention for their asset value will be gathered for display and sale.
Event Information
Manji Inoue Memorial Exhibition [Passing on the Craft: Manji, Yasunori, and Yuki Inoue, Three Generations]
- Dates: Wednesday, October 14 to Monday, October 19, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (closes at 5:00 PM on the last day)
- Venue: Saga Tamaya, South Building 7th floor event hall
- Admission: Free
- Address: 2-5 Nakanokoji, Saga City, Saga Prefecture 840-0833 (〒840-0833 佐賀県佐賀市中の小路2番5号)
- Official website: https://www.saga-tamaya.co.jp/
Held at the same time: Manji Inoue Kiln × firando CAFE
- Dates: Wednesday, October 14 to Monday, October 19, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (closes at 3:00 PM on the last day)
- Venue: Saga Tamaya, South Building 7th floor event hall
- Admission: Free
Held at the same time: Gold World – Gold Exhibition (金世界 黄金展)
- Dates: Wednesday, October 14 to Monday, October 19, 2026
- Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM (closes at 5:00 PM on the last day)
- Venue: Saga Tamaya, South Building 7th floor event hall
- Admission: Free
