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How did Korean potters contribute to the development of Japan's porcelain industry?
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Korean art
Dragon jar, porcelain with iron-painted decoration under clear glaze, Korea, mid-17th century; in the Brooklyn Museum, New York. 31.4 × 37.1 cm. Diameter at mouth 12 cm. Diameter at base 9.5 cm.
Korean potters played a foundational role in the development of Japan's porcelain industry, particularly during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Following the Japanese invasions of Korea in the 1590s, many Korean potters were brought to Japan, where they were initially tasked with creating wares for the tea ceremony before helping to establish the broader porcelain industry.1
Their contributions were critical in several technical areas:
- Discovery of Materials: Tradition credits the Korean potter Ri Sampei (Yi Sam-p’yong) with the discovery of porcelain clay in the Izumi Mountain near Arita, which enabled the production of high-quality porcelain in Japan.23
- Kiln Technology: Korean potters introduced the chambered climbing kiln to western Japan. This advanced technology was essential for sustaining the controlled, high temperatures required to fire clay into hard, fine-surfaced porcelain.4
- Industry Foundation: By utilizing these new kilns and local kaolin-rich clay, Korean craftsmen facilitated the transition from simple ceramic production to a sophisticated, mass-production porcelain industry, which eventually flourished under the protection of local clans like the Saga fief.43