ewhakyushu-exhibition/en

Japanese Ceramic Orders

Starting at the end of the 16th century, Japanese collectors frequently commissioned tea bowls from Joseon kilns. The relatively un-ornamented, natural appearance of Korean-made pottery was well-suited to the so-called wabi-cha (侘茶) tea ceremony etiquette that was popular at the time. Historical sources such as "Record of Japanese Requests" and "Inventories of Joseon Ceramics" help us to better understand the dynamics of this trade in ceramics. "Inventories of Joseon Ceramics" for example, reads like a modern-day shopping catalog, illustrating the shape, dimensions and patterns of Joseon ceramic samples.

Various samples of the tea bowls (dawan) were brought in. After searching for adequate potter artisans, white clay, and firewood it was proposed that the ceramics be fired at the kilns near the Waegwan. In response, the officials recruited potters from Hadong and Jinju to produce ceramics in kilns outside the Waegwan.

各樣茶碗各其見樣渠自持來要得匠人及燒木等物館中造作爲良結言設爲白去乙巡察使分付河東晉州匠人磻造作次以倭館外窯龜造作爲白臥乎事

-Waein Gucheong Deungnok (Record of Japanese Request)* , 16th day of the 8th month, 1639 (17th year of King Injo’s Reign)-

*Record of Japanese Requests (倭人求請謄錄) is a record of requests for import goods from Joseon submitted by the ruler of Daemado (Tsushima Island, 對馬島) who served as an intermediary for trade with the Japanese Shogunate.

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon (熊川茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 16-17th century, H. 8.5cm, (mouth) D. 13.6cm, (bottom) D. 5.3cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan (TG-2712) ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 16th century, H. 6.9cm, (mouth)D.13.7cm, (bottom) D. 5.2cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan (TG-2708) ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

Tea Bowl, Kyōgenbakama Type (狂言袴茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 17th century, H. 10.3cm, (mouth) D. 11.3cm, (bottom) D. 5.9cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan (TG-2969) ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

Tea Bowl from Gimhae (金海茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 17th century, H. 9.2cm, (mouth)D.12.7cm, (bottom) D. 5.9cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan (TG-224) ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

Tea Bowl, Mujihakeme Type (無地刷毛目茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 16th century, H. 10.7cm, (mouth) D. 13.1×11.9cm, (bottom) D. 6.9cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan (TG-2205) ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

Tripod Tea Bowl, Hakeme Type (刷毛目三足茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 16-17th century, H. 7.6cm, (mouth) D. 13.2cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

This tea bowl is referred to as “Koido dawan”. “Koido”(古井戸, 小井戸) identifies it as a particular type of Joseon-style Ido tea bowl that is smaller than so-called Oido tea bowls.

This tea bowl was called "Tea Bowl, Kyōgenbakama type". Because the pattern on the surface of the ceramic resembles the loose skirt-like pants worn by Kyōgen(狂言) actors.

This name refers to the characters ‘Gimhae(金海)’ inscribed on the ceramic. This inscription indicates that the tea bowl was produced at a kiln site located in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang province.

The name “Mujihakeme” refers to a technique known as hakeme (刷毛目) or gwiyal in Korean in which white slip is brushed on the clay body. In most cases, marks from the brushstroke are clearly visible on the surface of the pottery. In this case, however, the name “Mujihakeme” calls attention to the absence of visible brushstrokes on this tea bowl.

Unlike the previous example, this tea bowl is a typical example of the hakemetechnique because the brushstrokes of white slip are clearly visible on the surface. The bowl is referred to as “Hakeme Three-part Foot” (刷毛目三足) because the foot of the vessel is divided into three sections.

Horimishima Tea Bowl

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon

Celadon Dish Shard with Mold-impressed Peony Design Excavated in Doryeom-dong in Seoul

Hizen Porcelain Used at the Royal Court of Joseon

White porcelain two-tier box with peony pattern in blue underglaze

White porcelain with chestnut design

White porcelain rectangular bottle

White Porcelain Square Dish with Piece of Cloud and Young Pine Tree Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain Two-tier Box with Plum, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum and Butterfly Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain with Net Motif in Blue Underglaze

Japanese Ceramic Orders

Starting at the end of the 16th century, Japanese collectors frequently commissioned tea bowls from Joseon kilns.

The relatively un-ornamented, natural appearance of Korean-made pottery was well-suited

to the so-called wabi-cha (侘茶) tea ceremony etiquette that was popular at the time.

Historical sources such as "Record of Japanese Requests" and "Inventories of Joseon Ceramics" help us to better understand the dynamics of this trade in ceramics.

"Inventories of Joseon Ceramics" for example, reads like a modern-day shopping catalog, illustrating the shape, dimensions and patterns of Joseon ceramic samples.

Various samples of the tea bowls(dawan) were brought in. After searching for adequate potter artisans, white clay, and firewood it was proposed that the ceramics be fired at the kilns near the Waegwan. In response, the officials recruited potters from Hadong and Jinju to produce ceramics in kilns outside the Waegwan.
各樣茶碗各其見樣渠自持來要得匠人及燒木等物館中造作爲良結言設爲白去乙巡察使分付河東晉州匠人磻造作次以倭館外窯龜造作爲白臥乎事

-Waein Gucheong Deungnok
(Record of Japanese Request)* ,
16th day of the 8th month, 1639 (17th year of King Injo’s Reign)-

Japan frequently requested ceramics manufactured in Korea but where exactly were these export ceramics produced?

Scholars suspect that most export ceramics were fired at kilns near the Waegwan (倭館).

In particular, some exported ceramics can be traced to a kiln site in Ungcheon(熊川) in the area of present-day Jinhae (鎭海) in South Gyeongsang province (慶尙道).

In addition to the geographical location, the term ungcheon is also used to refer to a type of tea bowl with a round base.

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 16th century, H. 6.9cm, (mouth)D.13.7cm, (bottom) D. 5.2cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan (TG-2708) ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

Tea Bowl from Gimhae (金海茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 17th century, H. 9.2cm, (mouth) D.12.7cm, (bottom) D. 5.9cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan (TG-224) ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

Tripod Tea Bowl, Hakeme Type (刷毛目三足茶碗)Joseon dynasty, 16-17th century, H. 7.6cm, (mouth) D. 13.2cm, Tokyo National Museum of Japan ⓒColBase (https://colbase.nich.go.jp/)

This tea bowl is referred to as “Koido dawan”. “Koido”(古井戸, 小井戸) identifies it as a particular type of Joseon-style Ido tea bowl that is smaller than so-called Oido tea bowls.

This tea bowl was called "Tea Bowl, Kyōgenbakama type". Because the pattern on the surface of the ceramic resembles the loose skirt-like pants worn by Kyōgen(狂言) actors.

Horimishima Tea Bowl

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon

Celadon Dish Shard with Mold-impressed Peony Design Excavated in Doryeom-dong in Seoul

Hizen Porcelain Used at the Royal Court of Joseon

White porcelain two-tier box with peony pattern in blue underglaze

White porcelain with chestnut design

White porcelain rectangular bottle

White Porcelain Square Dish with Piece of Cloud and Young Pine Tree Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain Two-tier Box with Plum, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum and Butterfly Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain with Net Motif in Blue Underglaze

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon (熊川茶碗)

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon (熊川茶碗)

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon (熊川茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Kyōgenbakama Type (狂言袴茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Kyōgenbakama Type (狂言袴茶碗)

Tea Bowl from Gimhae (金海茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Mujihakeme Type (無地刷毛目茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Mujihakeme Type (無地刷毛目茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Mujihakeme Type (無地刷毛目茶碗)

Tripod Tea Bowl, Hakeme Type (刷毛目三足茶碗)

Horimishima Tea Bowl

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon

Celadon Dish Shard with Mold-impressed Peony Design Excavated in Doryeom-dong in Seoul

Hizen Porcelain Used at the Royal Court of Joseon

White porcelain two-tier box with peony pattern in blue underglaze

White porcelain with chestnut design

White porcelain rectangular bottle

White Porcelain Square Dish with Piece of Cloud and Young Pine Tree Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain Two-tier Box with Plum, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum and Butterfly Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain with Net Motif in Blue Underglaze

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon (熊川茶碗)

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon (熊川茶碗)

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon (熊川茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Ido Type (古井戸茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Kyōgenbakama Type (狂言袴茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Kyōgenbakama Type (狂言袴茶碗)

Tea Bowl from Gimhae (金海茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Mujihakeme Type (無地刷毛目茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Mujihakeme Type (無地刷毛目茶碗)

Tea Bowl, Mujihakeme Type (無地刷毛目茶碗)

Tripod Tea Bowl, Hakeme Type (刷毛目三足茶碗)

Horimishima Tea Bowl

Tea Bowl from Ungcheon

Celadon Dish Shard with Mold-impressed Peony Design Excavated in Doryeom-dong in Seoul

Hizen Porcelain Used at the Royal Court of Joseon

White porcelain two-tier box with peony pattern in blue underglaze

White porcelain with chestnut design

White porcelain rectangular bottle

White Porcelain Square Dish with Piece of Cloud and Young Pine Tree Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain Two-tier Box with Plum, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum and Butterfly Design in Blue Underglaze

White Porcelain with Net Motif in Blue Underglaze