What varieties of Karatsu ware were made in Hizen province?

Karatsu ware is a diverse category of Japanese ceramics produced in the Karatsu district of Hizen province. The term encompasses a wide variety of shapes and styles, which are generally classified into the following types:

• Undecorated (muji): Vessels featuring a plain ash slip glaze.12
• Painted (e): Ceramics decorated with designs painted in an iron underglaze.312
• Speckled (madara): A distinct stylistic variety of the ware.12
• Korean style (Chosen): Wares produced in the style of Korea, characterized by a thick, opaque glaze.12
• Seto style: Wares produced in the style of Seto, which feature a white glaze.12

These ceramics are typically crafted from sandy, iron-rich clays using coiling and manual pounding techniques. While their production likely began in the late 16th century, most surviving examples date to the 17th century, with the most highly valued pieces created specifically for the tea ceremony.312