What You Probably Didn't Know About Nortiake
From humble beginnings to international success (and adored in over 100 countries), the Noritake brand has come such a long way to be where it is today. Founded by the Morimura Brothers in 1876, Noritake offers a beautifully crafted range of tableware, dinnerware and other products influenced by Western design highlighting quality lifestyle. If you take a closer look through the lens of Noritake, you’ll find a few interesting facts you probably didn’t know about the brand.
#Fact 1: Noritake was formerly known as Nippon Toki Gomei Kaisha (translates to Japan Porcelain Company)
The Morimura Brothers initially opened a trading company in New York selling imported goods such as chinaware, curios, paper lanterns, antiques and gifts to customers in the year 1876. However, in 1904, the brothers then took higher interest over European ceramics and made the decision to mass-produce more affordable alternatives to the American market.
That’s where Nippon Toki Gomei Kaisha (now known as Noritake) was established in Nagoya, Japan to manufacture western-style chinaware. The manufacturing factory was placed there due to high resources of raw material and many skilled potters were residing in that area.
#Fact 2: Noritake’s first dinner set is over 104 years old!
(image by Noritake)
The Sedan was Noritake’s very first western design dinner set manufactured in 1914. It took them over 10 years to finally produce and export their first dinnerware set. The Sedan features a white body with a beige border and simple elegant floral patterns around. Today, you can only obtain Noritake’s first dinner sets only through auction sites or antique stores as they are no longer in production.
If you happen to possess a set at home, make sure it’s well-kept and handled with care. This century-old dinner set is now a rare find and is probably well treasured by those who have received from their ancestors. What’s more, you are also part of Noritake’s long tradition.
#Fact 3: Noritake’s products were each hand-painted and decorated in gold
(image by Noritake)
Yes, it’s true! Your Noritake antiques were hand painted with intricate designs by skilled Japanese artists. Back in the day, the earliest dinner plates were decorated with a copious application of gold. This was the general rule to produce some of the earliest dinner plates as a way to identify the early Noritake porcelain.
As time passes, the intricate designs were out of fashion. Simple designs were the new trend. Before World War I, the dinnerware sold were considered luxury items and was not easily accessible to everyone. Due to political and economic changes after World War I, the Morimura Brothers altered their target audience to the masses to suit the new demands. Instead of manufacturing expensive and ornamental pieces, they focused on producing pieces that the mass public could afford and enjoy. Over time, Noritake’s main focus was producing luxury items to the American market at an affordable cost.
#Fact 4: It was never just dinner plates, teacups and saucers to begin with
(image by Noritake)
As previously mentioned, Noritake earlier focus was not just on chinaware but also on other goods such as vases, pots, clocks, ceramic dolls and many more. These antiques were designed to suit the 20th-century era and had a demand in the American market during that period. It is said that the Noritake antique chinaware is costly and have higher values especially for those that were produced in the 19th century. Today, Noritake produces contemporary patterns and styles to suit the modern community of the 21st century.
#Fact 5: The Noritake name change was only officially registered after 80 years
An interesting conflict arise when the company was restricted from changing Nippon Toki Co. Ltd to Noritake Co. Limited. This was due to Noritake being an official name place in Japan, “Noritake” could not be used as a trade name. Although many consumers have been using the term “Noritake” as early as the 1920s, it was only officially renamed in the year 1981 which is over half a century.
Through the lens of Noritake, there is a long and proud history painted over the course of 142 years. Within the first decade, Noritake became a familiar household brand; later becoming one of the most popular weddings and housewarming gifts.
Be it dinner sets, mugs, teapots, teacups and saucers, champagne or wine glasses, Noritake's got them all. With Noritake’s continuous promise in delivering high quality and beautifully crafted porcelain ware at affordable costs, you’ll surely be satisfied with its hard-wearing and solid china that will last you for years to come.
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