We introduced a lot of Japanese art forms on our blog already, today’s article will be about one of the oldest ones around. A lot of Japanese dishes are served in bowls, rice whine is served in flasks. The history of Japanese pottery and porcelain is as old as the cuisine itself and is an art form with an incredible attention to detail. Let’s have a look.

Japan has an exceptionally long and successful history of ceramic production. Simple earth-based ceramics were created as early as 10,000 BCE, giving Japan one of the oldest ceramic traditions in the world. Japan is further distinguished by the unusual believe that ceramics holds within its artistic tradition, owing to the enduring popularity of the tea ceremony, we talked about before. 

Japanese ceramic history records distinguished many potter names, and some were artist-potters. Since the 4th century, ceramics from China and Korea were imported into the country. Japan transformed and translated the Chinese and Korean prototypes into a uniquely Japanese creation, and the result was distinctly Japanese in character. Since the mid-17th century when Japan started to industrialize, high-quality standard wares produced in factories became popular exports to Europe. In the 20th century, a modern ceramics industry grew up.

Japanese pottery is distinguished by two aesthetic traditions. On the one hand, there is a tradition of very simple and roughly finished pottery, using a muted palette of earth colours. This relates to Buddhism and many of the greatest masters were priests, especially in early periods. Many pieces are also related to the Tea ceremony. The other tradition is of highly finished and brightly coloured factory wares, mostly in porcelain, with complex and balanced decoration. 
What kinds of pottery do you like, what have you spotted on your travels?