Japanese porcelain was first made at the end of the Stone Age and persisted as the most prominent material used in Japanese arts and crafts to this day. While widespread porcelain production in Japan did not begin until the 17th Century (much later than other major producers such as China and Korea), Japan eventually became one of the largest exporters in porcelain for the greater part of the 20th Century.
Japanese porcelain is a white or off-white paste made from soft kaolinitic clay blended with silica and feldspar. It is heated at high temperatures and results in a sleek, shiny finish ideal for painting over designs.
The typical designs and shapes used for Japanese porcelain pottery have changed throughout history, often due to cultural influences. Large-scale domestic production of porcelain began from Korean potters living in Japan in the 1590s following the invasions of Korea. As the potters used clay from the Arita district, the region soon became a major center of porcelain production in Japan.
Known as Imari, these earlier forms of porcelain had designs of cobalt blue on white with a transparent glaze, typically portraying local myths or stories from the time. As a result, porcelain pieces produced had great historical significance and were likely vital in the region’s storytelling traditions.
Around 1660, Japan began exporting porcelain to Europe, as China’s occupation with civil wars allowed Japan to enter the international market and meet the growing demand for porcelain by selling through the Dutch East India Company. This porcelain was some of the first Japanese artwork to be introduced to Europe around the time, although the designs and styles were heavily westernized to cater to Europeans. Many styles often attempted to emulate Chinese underglaze blue porcelain, which contained detailed sceneries that were also immensely popular amongst Europeans.
At the same time, Nabeshima ware, one of the most refined and high-quality forms of porcelain, was created exclusively for the upper classes. Such pieces typically used soft colors and portrayed Japanese motifs and other themes from nature. However, this style faded away by the 19th century and was soon replaced with modern industrial firms that mass-produced lesser-quality porcelain for export.
By the late 1920s, Japan made up over 50% of domestic ceramic table and kitchenware imports in the U.S. Pieces remained inexpensive up until the end of World War II, causing Japan to be the leading foreign export of porcelain to the U.S. by the 20th Century. With the importation of higher quality porcelain, the reception of Japanese porcelain remained high in the U.S.
To this day, Japanese porcelain is considered to be some of the finest porcelain produced in the world. Through its widespread production and rich history, many cultures have embraced the art form, revolutionizing Japanese art and culture.
Article by Vismaya Paul Mohindra of Richard Montgomery High School
Photo by May Pham of Walter Johnson High School