During Japan’s Sengoku era (1467-1568), samurai lords and rich merchants in Japan collected Chinese porcelains for their status symbol. After arrivals of Europeans, Japan soon started to make their own porcelains.
Historical record of the porcelain trade in the early 17th Century in Japan is much obscure. Some of the export porcelains were imitations of so-called Kraak ware. The name derived from the Dutch word, “carrack”, a Portuguese galleon. Chinese porcelains seized by Dutch from Portuguese trade ships were brought to the European market. Most of them were made in China but some but much fewer were made in Japan.
The Kraak ware was first produced in the late Ming periodin 1570s. It was a side-product of Jingdezhen. Various products of bowls, plates, vases, and ewers were created for consumers in Southeast Asia, Near East, India, Japan, and Europe. Especially deep bowls, dishes, plates were popular. Majority were blue and white ware. This porcelain product became highly sought after among the collectors in Europe and also in Japan. The picturesque theme of nature, birds and animals, was quickly copied by the Dutch Deft makers and also by the Japanese Hizen makers.
Great success of foreign trade increased their production in China. More kilns were built outside of Jingdezhen. Comparing Kraak porcelain made by Jingdezhen, the latter products were less in quality with hasty decoration, and some were semi-porcelains or stone wares. This provincial ceramic ware was named Swatou ware. They were mainly shipped out of Zhangzou located in Fujian province in China.
Swatou ware is a mass production for foreign market. It has some imperfections and flaws, but by some reasons, it pleased Japanese connoisseur’s eyes, because Japanese finds unique beauty in decaying objects or irregular shapes. It fits their essential manner of the tea ceremonial culture.
In Japanese, Kraak ware is called “Fuyo-de”, and Swatou ware is called “Gosu-de”. A name, Fuyo-de originates from a hibiscus flower. It represents a shape constructed with a center motif surrounded by a wide border space divided by sectional panels. Gosu-de means gosu cobalt decoration. Gosu-de with added color decoration is called Gosu Akae.
Coloring method of porcelain was brought to the Japanese makers around 1620-1640. It was long believed to be introduced by the Chinese experts for the first time, but according to the recent studies, it suggests that they used European enamels and pigments, possibly brought to Japan by Jesuit missionaries.
When Portuguese and Spanish got removed from Japan, Dutch gained exclusive rights for the porcelain trade in Japan. They had a good hope for Japanese makers to produce impressive porcelain better than the Chinese products. Their idea of colorful and luxurious decoration was demanded to the Japanese makers.
Using examples from the Chinese porcelain wares like Kraak or Swatou, Japanese were able to satisfy Dutch requests in time.
The popularity of the trade to Europe lasted well into the early part of the 18th century until it was significantly declined, partially due to the political changes in Europe, and also because Europe discovered their own porcelain industry.