1904-
The company was founded in 1904 by Morimura Ichizaemon (1839-1919) as Nihon Toki General Partnership Company. Its predecessor, Nihon Toki, was the first company in Japan to produce high-end Western tableware, which was exported in large quantities to Europe and the United States by the Morimura Group, a pottery and porcelainware trading company, during the Meiji era and before World War II. The early products were handmade and known for the beauty of their painting and the delicacy of their workmanship. Later, tableware based on the Art Deco style was produced in large quantities, and the elaborate designs are still popular today. The Noritake brand was extremely popular in Europe and the United States, to the extent that counterfeit products imitated and exported by domestic traders appeared on the market. Products from this period, known as “Old Noritake,” have become collector’s items for ceramic enthusiasts. Noritake products that were sold as souvenirs to American soldiers stationed in Japan after the war until 1953 are called “Premier Noritake” and are loved by some.
The name “Noritake” is derived from the name of the village where Noritake was founded, Takaba Village, Aichi Prefecture.
Noritake’s markings are used in different ages, making it an easy brand to collect. You can find more about the marks on the page Chronological list of Old Noritake marks.
