Satsuma ware (Satsumayaki) is one of Japan’s representative ceramics, born in Kagoshima Prefecture. It features two distinct styles: the delicate and elegant “White Satsuma” and the rustic and powerful “Black Satsuma,” each with its own unique charm.
This article introduces the characteristics and history of Satsuma ware, the differences between White and Black Satsuma, and detailed maintenance methods to keep them beautiful for years to come. This will be an excellent opportunity for craft collectors and those interested in ceramics as art to discover the profound world of Satsuma ware.
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What is Satsuma Ware?
Satsuma ware (Satsumayaki) is one of Japan’s traditional ceramics that has fascinated many people throughout history with its unique texture and advanced techniques. Its history began in the early 17th century with potters brought from the Korean Peninsula to Satsuma, where a unique aesthetic sense and techniques developed over time.
Today, there are two representative styles, “White Satsuma” and “Black Satsuma,” each with different charms and cultural backgrounds. Here, we will explain in detail the historical background of Satsuma ware, the characteristics of both White and Black Satsuma, and their artistic and cultural value.
The Origin and History of Satsuma Ware in Kagoshima Prefecture
Satsuma ware is a traditional ceramic representing Kagoshima Prefecture, with its history dating back to the late Azuchi-Momoyama period. The beginning of Satsuma ware traces back to when Shimazu Yoshihiro, the lord of the Satsuma domain, brought Korean potters back after Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s invasion of Korea (1592-1598). Approximately 80 Korean potters were brought to establish kilns throughout the Satsuma domain, embedding their superior techniques in southern Kyushu.
They worked with local clay (Satsuma clay) to create magnificent pottery, including “White Satsuma” with its beautiful white base for aristocratic utensils and “Black Satsuma” for everyday items used by common people. Thus, Satsuma ware, which began more than 400 years ago, has developed through the continuous efforts of potters nurtured in Kagoshima’s climate and continues to be passed down to the present day.
From the beginning, Satsuma ware was broadly classified into two major systems: White Satsuma and Black Satsuma, each developing in different directions with different uses and aesthetics. With the techniques of potters from Korea and the protection of the Shimazu family, kilns were built in various locations within the Satsuma domain, such as Naeshirogawa (present-day Miyama district), Tateno, and Ryumonji, creating unique styles and branching into multiple lineages. The masterpieces of tea ceramics fired in Satsuma ware were highly valued by tea masters, including the foremost tea master of the time, Furuta Oribe, and various feudal lords.
Lord Shimazu Yoshihiro himself is said to have stamped his seal on well-crafted pottery and had them fired. Such works are called “Gohande” and are highly valued. Under the patronage of the Satsuma domain, potters honed their skills and pursued the unique beauty of Satsuma ware in both White and Black Satsuma.
Later, during the end of the Edo period, the 28th lord of the Satsuma domain, Shimazu Nariakira, undertook technological innovation and production expansion of Satsuma ware, building a garden kiln (currently Sengan-en) in his villa in Iso to create works with splendid designs favored by Westerners. The new Satsuma ware promoted by Nariakira (later termed “Modern Satsuma ware”) was exhibited independently by the Satsuma domain at the Paris Exposition in 1867, where its White Satsuma, featuring ivory-colored bodies with gold and colored enamel, was highly acclaimed.
Subsequently, the name “SATSUMA” became widely known in Western markets and resonated worldwide as a representative export craft from Japan. During the Meiji period, it also received high evaluation on international stages such as the Vienna World Exposition (1873), and “Satsuma” became synonymous with Japanese ceramics. Today, Satsuma ware continues to be produced at various kilns throughout Kagoshima Prefecture, and in 2007, a special exhibition of Satsuma ware was held at the French National Ceramics Museum, demonstrating that its tradition and beauty continue to be highly valued both domestically and internationally. Satsuma ware, carrying a long history and culture, continues to shine as a cultural symbol of Kagoshima.
What is the Difference Between White Satsuma and Black Satsuma?
Ceramic wares made with Satsuma techniques are broadly divided into two lineages: “White-mon” known as White Satsuma and “Black-mon” known as Black Satsuma. These two differ not only in appearance but also in the clay used, techniques, decorations, and vessel forms, each forming its unique charm.
White Satsuma (Shiro-Satsuma)
White Satsuma is an elegant pottery with an ivory or pale cream base coated with transparent glaze. After firing, fine crazing (crackle patterns in the glaze) appears, and vibrant paints in red, green, blue, yellow, and other colors are delicately hand-painted. Further, intricate patterns are added with gold leaf, resulting in a gorgeous design.
Some pieces also feature advanced techniques such as open-work carving, requiring high skill and considerable effort to create. The white clay used in White Satsuma is volcanic ash soil from the Shirasu plateau, a rare material found only in limited areas within the Satsuma domain. It is said that White Satsuma was born when this white clay was discovered in the early Edo period.
Initially, the Satsuma domain aimed to create beautiful ceramics comparable to Korean white porcelain, but without finding porcelain stone suitable for white porcelain domestically, they instead presented pottery using white clay to the Shimazu family. This was greatly appreciated and named “Satsuma ware.”
Thus born, White Satsuma became official items for the domain and gifts, with particularly excellent pieces designated as “Kenjo Satsuma” and presented to the lord or other feudal lords. Treasured in samurai society, White Satsuma was exported to the West as art and craft during the Meiji period, captivating global collectors with its luxury.
Black Satsuma (Kuro-Satsuma)
Black Satsuma has an older tradition than White Satsuma and has primarily been made as practical items such as tea bowls and sake vessels. True to its name, it features a subdued jet-black or black-brown body, using local clay rich in iron and finished with a single black glaze. Though the decoration is moderate, its substantial texture creates a powerful beauty.
Unlike White Satsuma, it lacks flamboyant colored enamel or gold leaf, but its simple, warm design blends into daily life and has long been familiar to common people. Historically, only this Black Satsuma was available to the general public, while White Satsuma was special.
Black Satsuma is also durable and has been widely used as a practical vessel for pouring shochu (Japanese distilled spirit). Thus, White and Black Satsuma have contrasting characteristics due to differences in materials and manufacturing methods, allowing one to appreciate the diverse charm of Satsuma ware.
Characteristics and Charm of Satsuma Ware
Satsuma ware is highly regarded both domestically and internationally as a traditional Japanese ceramic, attracting many people with its deep history and unique beauty. Its origins date back to the 16th century, with regional manufacturing methods and designs passed down through the ages to the present day.
Satsuma ware features two representative styles: “White Satsuma” and “Black Satsuma.” The former is cherished for its aesthetic appeal with delicate paintings on a creamy white base, while the latter is valued for its strong and substantial form, excelling in practicality as an everyday vessel.
From here, we will look back at the history of Satsuma ware and introduce in detail the characteristics and charm of both White and Black Satsuma, as well as the craftsmanship and spirit embedded in their unique manufacturing methods.
The Delicacy of Open-Work Carving and Gold Leaf in White Satsuma
White Satsuma features a transparent glaze over a smooth ivory base, with fine crazing (crackle patterns in the glaze) appearing after firing. Vibrant paintings and pure gold leaf are applied on top, resulting in a gorgeous and elegant finish.
For instance, one of the representative works of White Satsuma, a vase, is intricately decorated with floral patterns in red and green colors with gold leaf on a cream-colored base, giving a very gorgeous impression. Originally developed from the official kiln of the Satsuma domain lord, White Satsuma uses precious white clay found only in limited areas within the Satsuma domain.
A notable technique in White Satsuma is “open-work carving (sukashi-bori).” This involves thinly carving out parts of the vessel’s surface to create a mesh-like pattern, with delicate decorations applied throughout like a bamboo basket. This technique was devised around 1879 by the twelfth-generation Chin Jukan and perfected as a unique skill.
The gold leaf technique is also highly advanced, with craftsmen using brushes to draw extremely fine lines and dots, completing luxurious decorations that utilize the brilliance of pure gold. The translucency of open-work carving harmonizes with the splendor of gold leaf and paintings, highlighting the elegance of the base.
With its delicate and gorgeous style, White Satsuma has been loved by Western collectors since the Meiji era and continues to receive worldwide recognition as a highly valued ceramic art piece in museums and art galleries.
The Strength and Folk Craft Texture of Black Satsuma
Black Satsuma contrasts with White Satsuma, possessing a simple and rustic beauty. A typical example of Black Satsuma is the shochu earthen pot “Kuro-joka,” a thick ceramic made with practicality in mind to withstand direct fire, traditionally used to warm shochu over hearths or stoves.
Black Satsuma has been loved by common people mainly as everyday vessels, with a substantial and stable form and a subdued black gloss that conveys the warmth of the soil. The clay used contains a high amount of iron, producing a black-brown soil that was abundantly available within the Satsuma domain, allowing for mass production.
The body created from this iron-rich soil has a tea-brown tint, and when coated with transparent or iron glaze and fired, it develops a deep black or amber gloss. Black Satsuma lacks decorations such as paintings, expressing beauty through the texture and color of the glaze itself. Particularly in thick vessels with ample black glaze, the edges and pedestals with thin glaze exhibit a reddish gradation within the jet-black color.
This reddish edge coloration is appreciated by enthusiasts as a unique landscape created by the iron glaze and Satsuma soil. The charm of Black Satsuma lies in its deep flavor felt through its unadorned appearance.
Originally, Black Satsuma included various vessels such as pots, jars, mortars, bowls, plates, sake bottles, and cups, made as everyday items for common people. Its beauty with restrained decoration embodies “functional beauty,” improving with use.
During the Taisho era, this simplicity and strength were re-evaluated in the folk craft movement led by Yanagi Soetsu and others, highlighting it as a craft of the common people. The earthy texture and straightforward form of Black Satsuma are highly valued today as examples of finding beauty in everyday life.
In modern times, Black Satsuma continues to play an important role in Satsuma ware, cherished as a craft that can be used in daily life, such as tea utensils, sake vessels, and flower vases. Particularly, the Kuro-joka is still loved by many as it absorbs the flavor of shochu with use, enhancing its taste.
The Sculptural Beauty Combining Functional Beauty and Decorativeness
Satsuma ware is a traditional Japanese ceramic craft known for its unique beauty and functionality. The most distinctive feature of Satsuma ware is its sculptural beauty that combines “functional beauty” and “decorativeness.” In addition to simple yet sophisticated designs that prioritize practicality, the luxurious decorations add to its charm.
What makes Satsuma ware beloved by many people even today is its diversity, ranging from everyday vessels to artistic pieces.
Representative Techniques and Pottery Process of Satsuma Ware
Satsuma ware is a field within Japanese traditional culture that combines artistry and practicality, and various techniques and pottery processes have developed over many years. The choice of techniques and processes is an important element that greatly influences the completeness and expressiveness of the works.
Representative techniques in ceramics include wheel throwing, hand building, and mold pressing, each creating different textures and sculptural beauty. Additionally, craftsmen’s dedication and skilled techniques appear throughout the series of pottery processes from clay selection to forming, drying, glazing, and firing.
From here, we will look in detail at these various techniques and the flow of pottery making to explain how clay is elevated into artistic vessels.
The Process of Crazing and Overglaze Decoration in White Satsuma
White Satsuma is characterized by its unique crazing and overglaze decoration. Crazing refers to fine crack patterns that naturally occur as the glaze cools, giving the work a unique texture and depth. In this technique, first the clay is formed and bisque fired, then a special glaze is applied. During the main firing, the glaze contracts as it cools, causing crazing. Especially in White Satsuma, there is a process of dipping in water to make the glaze thin, and this operation forms delicate crazing patterns.
Overglaze decoration is performed after the main firing. Vibrant colors such as gold and red are used to paint intricate patterns and pictures, which are then fixed by firing again. For example, at the Chin Jukan kiln, no other paints are used under the gold leaf, decorating with pure gold only, which is also characteristic as the brilliance lasts longer. These processes require advanced techniques and experience, enhancing the elegant beauty unique to White Satsuma.
The Charm of Climbing Kiln Firing and Glazes in Black Satsuma
Black Satsuma ware is a traditional Japanese pottery known for its distinctive color tone and texture. Climbing kiln firing plays an important role in the production process of Black Satsuma. This kiln has a structure where temperature rises progressively, allowing heat to be transferred uniformly at high temperatures, creating the deep black color and gloss characteristic of Black Satsuma.
The glaze contains a high amount of iron, and during firing, oxidation-reduction reactions form unique black or brown colors. This natural change in the glaze not only gives individuality to each piece but also imparts the warmth of handmade items. Additionally, Black Satsuma emphasizes functionality, and its charm lies in its combination of aesthetics and practicality.
New Techniques and Challenges by Contemporary Artists
Contemporary ceramic artists continue to challenge while building on traditional techniques. In addition to basic techniques such as wheel forming and hand building, they are also attempting to develop new glazes and combine different materials, creating works that are not bound by conventional frameworks.
These efforts, while maintaining respect for traditional culture, expand the range of ceramic expressions and redefine their possibilities in the market and art world.
Main Works and Uses of Satsuma Ware
Satsuma ware has been beloved as a traditional Japanese craft since ancient times, with its origins established by potters who came from the Korean Peninsula to the Satsuma domain in the late 16th century. Since then, its unique texture and techniques have been refined over many years, continuing to fascinate many people even today.
In particular, its delicate paintings and warm color tones are highly valued not only for their beauty as objects of appreciation but also as vessels that combine practicality. Satsuma ware includes a variety of works that can be widely used from daily life to special occasions, such as tea utensils, flower vases, and tableware, each containing the skills and thoughts of craftsmen.
From here, let’s look in detail at representative works of Satsuma ware and how they are used, rediscovering their artistic value and charm that breathe in everyday life.
Traditional Vessels Such as Tea Utensils, Sake Vessels, and Flower Vases
Tea utensils of Satsuma ware are important examples, with known tea bowls and matcha bowls. These are used in tea ceremony rituals and have high artistic value.
As sake vessels, sake bottles and cups are made with ingenuity to enhance the enjoyment of sake. Furthermore, flower vases are created in various sizes to enhance ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement). These vessels are glazed with the beautiful glazes unique to Satsuma ware, both White and Black Satsuma, and fulfill both everyday practicality and the role of luxury items. Satsuma ware, which fuses tradition and technology, is loved by many people even today with its long history in the background.
Artistry as Interior Decorations and Objects
In modern times, it is also highly valued as interior decoration and objects. Its artistry is expressed through delicate reliefs, diverse colors, and unique glazing techniques, adding rich expression to interior spaces.
Antique Satsuma ware, in particular, is often traded at high prices at auctions, increasing its value as a collection. Contemporary creators are further expanding the possibilities of Satsuma ware as interior items by attempting new expressions while preserving tradition.
Popularity and Value as Gifts and Collections
Satsuma ware, while being a traditional ceramic, is very popular as a gift due to its unique beauty and intricate decorations. Especially the luxurious designs called Kinrande fascinate viewers and elevate the status of the gift.
These works transcend mere utility value and are highly evaluated as art pieces. Furthermore, pieces with clear preservation status and known creators are very valuable to collectors.
The charm of Satsuma ware, passed down across ages, stems from its beauty and high level of technique along with its historical background, and its value only increases in personal collections.
Care and Points for Long-Term Enjoyment of Satsuma Ware
Satsuma ware is a craft that is particularly beloved among Japanese ceramics for its delicate beauty and deep history. However, proper care and management are essential to maintain its beauty and enjoy it for a long time.
Here, we introduce care methods that understand the properties of Satsuma ware and maximize its characteristics. Specifically, we cover daily handling, tips to prevent dirt and damage, and long-term maintenance methods with consideration for the storage environment.
Points of Caution Before and After Use and Correct Washing Methods
Satsuma ware is known for its delicate beauty and warm texture, but daily careful maintenance is essential to maintain its charm for a long time. With its natural material properties, handling can significantly affect its lifespan and texture.
Before use, soak it in lukewarm water to remove invisible dirt, which protects the original texture of the ceramic and prevents damage to the flavor of the food. After use, avoid sudden temperature changes, allow it to cool naturally, and then gently wash with mild detergent and a soft sponge.
Also, avoid using dishwashers, metal scrubbers, and dryers, and aim for natural drying to enjoy the beautiful colors and textures of Satsuma ware for a long time.
Understanding and Handling Breaks and Crazing
Satsuma ware is a type of pottery loved for its beautiful gloss and traditional design, but breaks and crazing (crack-like patterns) may occur. These occur due to the characteristics of the pottery and the usage environment and are not necessarily defects in quality.
First, crazing appears when the glaze contracts during cooling and is a characteristic of Satsuma ware. However, water may seep in, so before use, slightly warming the inside and drying it can make it less absorbent to water.
If you find a break, avoid using it as the components may affect food, and depending on the condition, it may be good to request repair at a specialty store. Regular gentle wiping with a soft cloth helps maintain its beautiful condition. By being mindful of such handling, you can enjoy Satsuma ware for many years.
Points for Display and Storage
To enjoy Satsuma ware for a long time, it’s important to pay attention to how it’s displayed and stored. When displaying, avoid direct sunlight and aim to exhibit in a stable environment without rapid changes in temperature and humidity. Since sunlight can cause fading, it’s advisable to place it where indirect light falls or use UV filters.
When storing, wrap each piece individually in soft cloth to avoid impact and keep them in an easily accessible place for safety. Also, avoid places with high humidity and use moisture absorbers appropriately to prevent mold and cracks. By being conscious of these points, you can enjoy the beauty of Satsuma ware for a long time.
Summary
Satsuma ware is a traditional Japanese ceramic, known particularly for being produced in Kagoshima Prefecture. It is characterized by delicate paintings and rich coloration, with works called White Satsuma especially exuding luxury. One of its charms is its beautiful gloss and intricate details.
The pottery-making process of Satsuma ware involves first shaping the clay, then bisque firing, applying decoration, and main firing. This delicate process creates a unique beauty. The works are mainly used as tableware and tea utensils, and are also popular as decorative items.
There are many facilities where you can appreciate or experience Satsuma ware, with ceramic experience classes and museums in Kagoshima Prefecture being recommended. For care, wash gently and avoid sudden temperature changes to make it last longer. With proper care, Satsuma ware can be enjoyed for its beauty for a long time.
