Each year, on the night before Thanksgiving, mom would call my sister and I into the kitchen where we would spend the next hour carefully hand washing my grandmother’s beautiful set of Noritake china. We would then take mom’s fine linen table cloth and napkins and her best crystal and silverware and set the table for our family dinner the next day. It is a tradition that has survived several generations in our family and for us, as for many, it is as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey and pumpkin pie.
The beauty of Noritake china has not only found its way into our holiday celebrations, it has also established itself as a part of the history of American trade with Japan. It began in 1853 when Commodore Matthew Perry sailed from the United States to Tokyo to begin trade negotiations between the two countries. At the onset Japan did not consider export to the U.S. a necessity to the growth of their economy. However, there were many products in Japan that were highly desired by the American consumer, not the least of which were the beautiful hand-painted porcelain and china produced by the Japanese craftsman.
Under orders from President Millard Fillmore, Perry’s “diplomatic” expedition was accompanied by four warships. The Japanese delegates were not intimidated by this show of power and after eight days of negotiations Perry returned home without accomplishing his mission. The next spring he returned with seven ships. This time it was agreed that Japan would send a delegation to the U.S. for further talks.
One of the representatives to make this trip was a young man named Ichiazaemon Morimura who would return to the U.S. and establish a porcelain trading company with offices in both Tokyo and New York. From its humble beginnings in 1876 “Morimura Brothers” would grow to become one of the largest exporters of Japanese porcelain to the U.S.
In 1904 Ichizaemon left the family export business to focus on the production of fine china. He established a small factory in the Japanese village of Najoya, an area known for its skilled potters and large deposits of clay. Six years later he would export his line of fine china to the U.S. under the name “Nippon Toki Kaisha.” For many years this china was referred to, unofficialy, as “Noritake” and in 1981 the company trademark was officially changed.
With over 135 patterns of assembly-line china available, Noritake became the most popular store-bought china in mid-20th century America. Early pieces were marked with an “M” inside a wreath and the word Nippon. Pieces made from 1921 until the beginning of WWII are marked “Japan” or “Made in Japan.” Those produced from 1948-1943 will be stamped “Made in Occupied Japan” and those from 1953 forward will have the original stamp with the “M” {for Morimura} replaced by the letter “N” {for Notritake}.
One of the most important contributions of Noritake to the world of porcelain dinnerware was the development of Lusterware. This centuries old glazing technique involves the use of a bright brown, blue or green glaze covered by a thin metallic film that is applied during the final firing. The result was an iridescence that gave the china a rainbow-like sheen. Sets and serving pieces of Noritake china with this feature denote that they were made in the first half of the 20th century. The Azalea pattern from this line is considered the most popular of all the Noritake patterns and is highly sought by today’s collectors.
Today “Noritake Company LImited” remains one of the most prolific manufacturers of china turning out over five million pieces a month in factories throughout the world. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
