By Chelsea Reed
Discovering the story behind a piece of original art is a fun surprise. It adds depth and meaning to the qualities of the artwork, and sometimes it can tell us more about the time period, too. Today we are going on a cultural adventure to Japan. The Land of the Rising Sun has a rich art history in pottery. Impress your friends with these unexpected facts the next time you get together!
Japanese pottery from the ancient Jomon Period holds the current record for the oldest pottery in the world known to humankind. Some of it is dated as old as 10,000 B.C., well before ceramics in ancient Greece and even Mesopotamia.
In contrast to the West, Japanese pottery was highly esteemed like vessels of gold or silver. That’s because wood was abundant on the forested islands, so wooden utensils were for common use. Pottery, on the other hand, was crafted for occasions like the revered tea ceremony. There were also clay figures of warriors housed in prominent tombs from the 3rd to the 6th century.
Some Japanese pottery bears the unique characteristic of showing off the imperfections of the piece rather than hiding them. This art style comes from wabi-sabi, an Eastern philosophy that admires the rustic and imperfect beauty found in nature. Some Japanese artists even filled their cracks with gold veins!
For centuries, Japan was isolated from the world until the 18th century when the country opened its trading ports in the Edo period. Japanese artists began to manufacture pottery exclusively for North America and Europe. It was traded mostly by the Dutch East India Trading Company. Wealthy Europeans especially favored blue and white Japanese ceramics.
After World War II, the popularity of traditional Japanese ceramics plummeted in a single generation. Its rich heritage was almost lost until a philosopher named Yanagi Soetsu championed the humble art form across the country. Thanks to his publicity, Japanese artists once again fired their kilns. They found ways to preserve their traditions and adapt them to the modern world. Hundreds of Japanese restaurants serve their dishes with beautiful ceramicware today.
Did you know that Seaside Art Gallery has a vintage Japanese pottery collection? You too can bring home a piece of the Rising Sun. It’s a perfect colorful addition to the office desk, dining room, or display collection. They’re also a great holiday gift idea for “the one who has it all!”
