Hobbies And Interests
Old Satsuma
The original Korean potters made small, cream-colored clay vessels they covered with a yellow glaze. They made pottery for use in the Japanese tea ceremony. Their pieces included incense burners, water jars and flower vases.
Late 18th Century Satsuma
Satsuma potters began decorating their vessels with different colors of enamel, in response to competition from Imari potters, also located in Kyushu. Popular patterns included flower, phoenix and dragon designs.
Kyoto Satsuma
The popularity of Satsuma led to the beginning of production in Kyoto using clay from Kyushu. Kyoto Satsuma has a lighter-colored body. All Satsuma pottery has a distinctive random crackle pattern from glazing and firing. The pattern covers the body. Kyushu Satsuma has a darker, stronger crackle.
Exporting Satsuma
The royal patrons of Satsuma pottery displayed pieces at the Paris International Exposition of 1867, where they met with great acclaim. A strong export market eventually developed. The Kyoto kiln produced most of the export pottery.
Later Satsuma
In the 19th century, Satsuma potters included human figures and landscapes on their pieces. They also started using a glaze called Gosu blue. Today's Satsuma has strong colors in thick applications.