Dish

Following Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s (1537-1598) second invasion of Korea in 1597, Korean potters were relocated to the island of Kyushu, where in about 1616 deposits of kaolin were discovered, in Arita, essential for porcelain production.  By the mid-17th century, Arita porcelain became renowned worldwide for its material and sophisticated aesthetics.

Arita porcelain includes a variety of types, such as Ko Kutani (old Kutani) wares with their strong palettes of blue, green, yellow and dark aubergine; Imari and Kakiemon, which were mostly intended for export, particularly to Europe. In the internal market, the manufacture of porcelain was unable to compete with the appeal of sophisticated Japanese stoneware, such as Kyoto ware.

Also from Arita came Nabeshima porcelain, the most sophisticated of Japanese porcelain, which takes its name from the daimyo clan who first commissioned these ceramics for themselves, the aristocracy and the samurais, rather than for export. These wares were moulded to ensure uniformity of shape.