Japanese Vases

While strongly influenced by the ceramic artists of China, the Japanese found innovative ways to make and decorate their porcelain vases. These include imari porcelains, unglazed vases, and Arita vases.

Imari porcelains, characterized by their bright orange reds and gilded with gold, began production circa 17th century. They were widely exported to the Western world in the 19th century. Other vases were left monochromatic, featuring relief images and subtly painted glazes.

While intricately glazed works are most well-known and preferred, the Japanese preferred unglazed vases and wares until the 17th century. Their preference for unglazed vases was due to the agrarian society that required the vases to be subject to significant weight and use.

Quick Facts

• In 1223, the Seto province had the only one of six famous kilns in its time to have a glazing technique. This technique, however, was mostly intended to imitate Chinese style porcelain painting
• Due to many damaged kilns in China between 1656 and 1684, exports for beautiful porcelain wares were in demand. The Japanese Arita kilns met demand, mass producing works that were sold by the Dutch East India Company
• Old Japanese vases were primarily unglazed and used for cooking, funerals, and storage. Now, colorfully painted Japanese vases are used mostly for decorative purposes rather than utility