Until today, in China, Korea and Japan a piece of snow white porcelain with a strong, cobalt blue underglaze painting is the epitome of fine ceramics. In the beginnings of porcelain manufacture in Japan, Japanese potters and painters modelled themselves on Chinese and Korean artists. The most important period in Japanese porcelain production was the Edo period (1603-1868). At that time, the Japanese techniques and paintings developed from sheer imitations to authentic works of art, which clearly showed their Japanese origin. This first Japanese Porcelain was produced in Arita, Kyushu. Today Japanese ceramics amaze by their enourmous diversity.