Japanese Pottery and Porcelain
In the 13th century the development of the tea ceremony as a significant part of Japanese life gave impetus to the potteršs art. A Japanese potter, Shirozaemon, studied pottery-making methods in China. On his return he set up a factory at Seto.
At the end of the 16th century, potters were imported from Korea. They settled in various parts of Japan, and potteries arose in scattered sections. Probably the best-known Japanese pottery is Satsuma ware, made since the 16th century. Satsuma is noted for a soft ivory-colored crackled glaze. Other major wares, named for the towns in which their potteries were located, are Karatsu, Hagi, Takatori, Yatsushiro, and Kioto (Kyoto).
In 1510 the Japanese potter Shonzui paid a visit to the Chinese imperial porcelain factory at Jingdezhen. He stayed perhaps as long as five years studying the art of porcelain making. On his return he brought back Chinese materials, including some of the Muhammadan blue coloring matter. He set up business near Arita and made porcelain until his stock of Chinese materials ran out. Later both China stone and China clay were found in Japan. In the 17th and 18th centuries many factories sprang up, making a very fine quality of porcelain. Best known among these are Arita, Nabeshima, and Kutani wares.