Ceramics that tie Korea, Japan, and Okinawa

     Those who have lived on Okinawa are familiar with the fact that the Ryukyu Island chain, of which Okinawa is the main island, has had a long history of its own distinct culture, separate from Japan.  Today, because Okinawa is a Japanese Prefecture, most simply think of Okinawa as just one of the Japanese islands.  But, the truth is that Okinawa and Okinawan people are distinct from the Japanese ethnically, culturally and historically.
     The Ryukyu or Loochoo (in Chinese) Islands  and its main island of Okinawa have had a long and illustrious history of its own.  It had its own kingdom which was independent for a long time, with vassal ties to China.  Chinese did not colonize the islands, rather they introduced their culture and developed strong ties with the small island nation.  Okinawa  had commercial ties with other countries and had thriving trade with Korea beginning in the 13th Century when Korea was known as Koryo. Okinawa established official diplomatic ties with Korea as early as 1392.  The Okinawan king sent an envoy to Korea which was called Chosen at the time. Chosen in turn sent an envoy to Okinawa and the Okinawan king requested that Chosen send some artisans who could develop local industry.  Thus Korean pottery makers, lacquerware makers, silversmiths, etc., were dispatched to the island nation by Korea (Chosen).
     In 1609, about 300 years after Okinawa had developed solid diplomatic and commercial ties with Korea, the Satsuma Clan from Japan invaded Okinawa and started the cat and mouse game with China over the control of this small island nation.  Okinawa did not have an army, so it was an easy matter for the warriors of the Satsuma Clan to overpower and rule Okinawa "unofficially," allowing Okinawa to maintain its monarchy.  This went on until the first Sino-Japanese War of 1894-95 which was fought mainly for control of Korea!  After Japanese victory over the Ching Dynasty China, Japan not only gained substantial control over Korea (which they were finally able to get complete control after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905), but also gained control of Taiwan and Okinawa and annexed those two islands in 1895 and announced that Okinawa was a Japanese prefecture. Thus,  Okinawa became "Japanese" except for a short period between 1945 and 1972 when it was under U.S. control.
     Japan had constantly waged war against Korea, small raids etc., for hundreds of years.  Between 1592 and 1598, during a bloody six year period called the Imjin Wars, Toyotomi Hideoshi attempted to conquer Korea.  His attempt failed, but he managed to kidnap and bring to Japan hundreds of Korean artisans and other skilled workers.  Among these skilled workers were pottery and ceramics makers, an art form that the Japanese had yet to perfect.  About 200 of the skilled Korean pottery and ceramics makers, including the master craftsman Yi Sam Pyong were brought to Satsuma Domain.  Here they set up their kilns and began making pottery and ceramics which quickly became famous. To this day, Satsuma Province in Kyushu is known as the ceramics and pottery center.
     Anyone who has lived in Japan or Okinawa is familiar with the Imari ceramics.  These fine, lavishly decorated ceramics were the products of Korean craftsmen who produced these for export, mainly Europe.  The ceramics got their name from the port of Imari from which they were shipped for export!  Japanese pottery, ceramics and porcelain owe their debt to Korean craftsmen who were initially abducted and brought to Japan.  Only the Mashiko pottery is of native origin, owing their design and style to the early Yayoi and Jomon period pottery.
     The Okinawan pottery is of two type.  The first type that was introduced by early Korean craftsmen tend to be more in the style that is most common.  The roof tiles did not exist on Okinawa until Korean potters began making them.  Prior to that roofs were either thatched or made of other material, not clay tiles!  However, later, after the Satsuma Invasion of Okinawa, in 1616 the Japanese brought over more Korean ceramics workers who established a pottery center in Wakuta area of Naha and the Tsuboya area.  A master Korean craftsman by the name of Cho set up in Tsuboya with his helpers and developed the Okinawan ceramics known as the Joyaki pottery.  Cho is considered to be the father of Okinawan Joyaki pottery.  Another pottery center that was established by Korean craftsmen was located in Yomitan.  So, Okinawan pottery and ceramics owe much to Koreans who essentially introduced the art of making fine ceramics and pottery to the islands.
     It is interesting to note that Korea, a small nation itself, has had such influence not only on Japanese fine ceramics, but ceramics and pottery of Okinawa as well.