Traditional Satsuma pottery - SYNAPSE
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update November 2004 Kiln "Chin Jukan Gama" Ceramic Painter from Korea Ms. Cho Jeong-Hee works at the Chin Jukan kiln. She is from Namwoun city, Korea. She studied ceramic design at the graduate School of Design, Ewha Women's University of Seoul. She also studied ceramic painting at the Arita Ceramics school in Saga for 1 year. In this April, she came to Miyama as a ceramic painter. Q: What is the difference between Korean pottery and Japanese pottery ? Traditional Korean pottery is simple compared with Japanese pottery. The color is usually white, pale sea-green, and beige. Korean food is colorful, so usually white color plates are used in Korea. Painting the pottery is not common. Therefore, I was shocked, when I saw gorgeous paintings on Satsuma pottery for the first time. Q: What made you want to come to Japan and Miyama? When I saw Satsuma pottery for the first time, I liked it. And my interest in pottery and Japan became stronger after I came back from studying in Saga. I wanted to learn more about Asian culture and pottery between Korea and Japan. Q: What is fascination of the Satsuma-yaki for you ? I like White Satsuma. The white satsuma is very graceful. On the white ware, colorful and strong colors like red, blue and gold are painted. But, it is not gaudy. It brings to mind for me a feminine image... soft and elegant. The beauty of White satsuma is amazing. It attracts me a lot. Q: What is the most difficult point or most caring point to paint? It is difficult to paint on the same designs on all pieces trying to keep a balance of design on all the works. But, I love painting and enjoy painting every day. The pottery is part of Chin Jukan's. I paint on the Satsuma as if the work was my own. Q: What is your dream? One day in the future, I want to teach painting and what I learned in Japan to Korean students. Also, I want to make my own pottery and want people to use my work in their everyday life. A Koro (incense burner) with elabrated beetles decoration, and beautifully carved cover of the koro. (The 15th Chin Jukan) Traditional Satsuma pottery In Miyama, there are 12 kilns today. And, the Chin Jukan kiln is the only kiln run by descendants of the original Koreans. The Chin family has been passing on the secrets of their traditional ceramic art for over 400 years. The Lord of Satsuma, the Shimazu family gave Korean potters including the Chin family favorable treatment. Their pottery was continually refined and its technical base broadened under the patronage of the Shimazu family. In 1873, the 12th Chin Jukan generation sent a pair of large flower vases to an International Exposition in Austria supporting by the Shimazu family. Chin's beautiful works were praised at the Exposition, and requested to undertake a campaign to introduce Satsuma pottery to America, Russia, Australia as well as, many other countries. As a result, "Satsuma" became synonymous with Japanese ceramics. In 1999, The son of the 14th Chin Jukan has assumed the name the 15th Chin Jukan, and has inherited the tradition of producing the original satsuma pottery. Now, over 20 young apprentices from throughout Japan and Korea work with Chin Jukan. They are specialists in shaping, carving, painting, glazing, and finishing. The 15th Chin Jukan's white Satsuma is elegant and refined. He often uses insects like butterflies or beetles for decoration on the White satsuma which are elaborate works. He carries on his family's tradition, while at times adopting new styles of his own creation. When I visited him, he was firing pottery in Noborigama (a step kiln of Korean origin). His eyes, as he studied the flame of the kiln was very sharp. He said,"The Noborigama is just a tool in general, but see... when it fires, it shows strong life in its flames and their ability to create new pottery. Those flames are what really create the Satsuma pottery." Korean potters only brought the clay and glaze from Korea, but not the fire. At a museum which was recently renewed as of this October, you can see the history of the Chin and some of their great selections of what the Chin's have been making for the past 400 years. Hours: 8:30 am ~ 5:00 pm Closed: 1st & 3rd Monday Museum addmission fee: 300 yen Tel & Fax: 099-274-2358 The 15th Chin Jukan watches flames of Noborigama.
Transcript of Traditional Satsuma pottery - SYNAPSE
updateNovember 2004
Kiln "Chin Jukan Gama"
Ceramic Painterfrom Korea
Ms. Cho Jeong-Hee works at the Chin Jukan kiln. She is from Namwoun city, Korea. She studied ceramic design at the graduate School of Design, Ewha Women's University of Seoul. She also studied ceramic painting at the Arita Ceramics school in Saga for 1 year. In this April, she came to Miyama as a ceramic painter.
Q: What is the difference between Korean pottery and Japanese pottery ?Traditional Korean pottery is simple compared with Japanese pottery. The color is usually white, pale sea-green, and beige. Korean food is colorful, so usually white color plates are used in Korea. Painting the pottery is not common. Therefore, I was shocked, when I saw gorgeous paintings on Satsuma pottery for the first time.
Q: What made you want to come to Japan and Miyama?When I saw Satsuma pottery for the first time, I liked it. And my interest in pottery and Japan became stronger after I came back from studying in Saga. I wanted to learn more about Asian culture and pottery between Korea and Japan.
Q: What is fascination of the Satsuma-yaki for you ?I like White Satsuma. The white satsuma is very graceful. On the white ware, colorful and strong colors like red, blue and gold are painted. But, it is not gaudy. It brings to mind for me a feminine image... soft and elegant. The beauty of White satsuma is amazing. It attracts me a lot.
Q: What is the most difficult point or most caring point to paint? It is difficult to paint on the same designs on all pieces trying to keep a balance of design on all the works. But, I love painting and enjoy painting every day. The pottery is part of Chin Jukan's. I paint on the Satsuma as if the work was my own.
Q: What is your dream?One day in the future, I want to teach painting and what I learned in Japan to Korean students. Also, I want to make my own pottery and want people to use my work in their everyday life.
A Koro (incense burner) with elabrated beetles decoration, and beautifully carved cover of the koro. (The 15th Chin Jukan)
Tr a d i t i o n a lS a t s u m ap o t t e r y
In Miyama, there are 12 kilns today. And, the Chin Jukan kiln is the only kiln run by descendants of the original Koreans.
The Chin family has been passing on the secrets of their traditional ceramic art for over 400 years. The Lord of Satsuma, the Shimazu family gave Korean potters including the Chin family favorable treatment. Their pottery was continually refined and its technical base broadened under the patronage of the Shimazu family. In 1873, the 12th Chin Jukan generation sent a pair of large flower vases to an International Exposition in Austria supporting by the Shimazu family. Chin's beautiful works were praised at the Exposition, and requested to undertake a campaign to introduce Satsuma pottery to America, Russia, Australia as well as, many other countries. As a result, "Satsuma" became synonymous with Japanese ceramics.
In 1999, The son of the 14th Chin Jukan has assumed the name the 15th Chin Jukan, and has inherited the tradition of producing the original satsuma pottery. Now, over 20 young apprentices from throughout Japan and Korea work with Chin Jukan. They are specialists in shaping, carving, painting, glazing, and finishing. The 15th Chin Jukan's white Satsuma is elegant and refined. He often uses insects like butterflies or beetles for decoration on the White satsuma which are elaborate works. He carries on his family's tradition, while at times adopting new styles of his own creation.
When I visited him, he was firing pottery in Noborigama (a step kiln of Korean origin). His eyes, as he studied the flame of the kiln was very sharp. He said,"The Noborigama is just a tool in general, but see... when it fires, it shows strong life in its flames and their ability to create new pottery. Those flames are what really create the Satsuma pottery." Korean potters only brought the clay and glaze from Korea, but not the fire.
At a museum which was recently renewed as of this October, you can see the history of the Chin and some of their great selections of what the Chin's have been making for the past 400 years.
Hours: 8:30 am ~ 5:00 pmClosed: 1st & 3rd MondayMuseum addmission fee: 300 yenTel & Fax: 099-274-2358
The 15th Chin Jukan watches flames of Noborigama.
