Collection: Toshikane Art Porcelain Collection

The Toshikane Company (pronounced TO-SHEE-KAH-NAY) was a Japanese firm that manufactured Aritatype porcelain buttons and other decorative objects for several decades in the mid-1900s.

The Toshikane story starts with two Japanese ceramic artists, Shun-ichi Kojima and Kenzo Minami. Mr. Kojima was born in the town of Arita, an important center of Japanese porcelain-making since the early 1600s. He started his career at the renowned Fukagawa Porcelain Kiln, where the president Chuji Fukagawa and his wife Moto encouraged young workers to develop their skills. 

In 1931, Shun-ichi (俊一) Kojima partnered with Kenzo (兼 蔵) Minami, a talented artist who had been working at the Tomiemon Kiln. Together, they founded the Toshikane (俊兼) Art Porcelain company. The company name was created by combining first characters of the founders' first names. Mr. Minami was the chief designer of Toshikane's products. The two men started their porcelain business.

After World War II, Japanese companies were allowed to resume private export trade in 1947. Soon, Toshikane began marketing Arita porcelain buttons and jewelry through military Base Exchanges in Japan and Guam for purchase by Western servicemen. These items were no doubt popular souvenirs to send home to wives and sweethearts. As the demand for Toshikane products grew, they were also marketed to private shops in Japan for sale to Western tourists and businessmen.