Beautiful Japanese Ceramics for Home

So you are a fan of most things "Japanese."  Well, you are certainly not alone.  Japanese culture has produced some very beautiful and elegant items during its history.  Even a quick glance at their culture and art, not to mention their venerated traditions, will confirm this fact.  However, when most people think about Japanese ceramics a lot of us don't realize that before the Edo period (1603-1868) ceramics were practically foreign to Japan.

The ceramic industry actually made its greatest progress with development of the traditional "tea ceremony."  At the start of the 18th century, Chinese wares used in tea ceremony records were much more expensive than Japanese wares.  So the industry had not flourished prior to this time.  For practical purposes, common meals and banquet ceremonies were served on lacquer ware for the wealthy.  In addition, the poor and middle class also ate off of lacquer or wooden trays.

However, toward the end of the 18th century business had started to change for the ceramic ware industry.  There came to be a large growth in the production of ceramic wares.  It also contributed to the elevation of all social classes of the population.  You could say that ordinary people desired to have porcelain wares to rival the upper classes.  Pots, jars, and other kind of containers were becoming necessary in order to store goods in shops, restaurants, and even homes.  The catalyst seems to have been the popularity of the tea ceremony.  The people of Japan all wanted to partake in this ritual... including the elegant ceramic wares needed for it!

The point for today is that one's choice of Japanese ceramics is a truly thoughtful way to add to your Asian home's atmosphere.  They are classic items that have never outlived their usefulness.  Almost any person can enjoy them.  Japanese ceramics are a very good porcleain selection.

Best regards from your friend,

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, feel free to visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.