Where Did Blue and White Japanese Porcelain Come From?
The Origins of Japanese Porcelain
Japanese porcelain is one of the country’s oldest art forms, dating as far back as the Neolithic period. Blue and white Japanese porcelain is decorated by hand-stencilling or transfer-printing designs in blue cobalt oxide onto a plain white background before applying a glaze.
Blue and white Japanese pottery is thought to have been influenced strongly by imports from the Middle East, and later on, China and Korea. As time progressed, Japanese potters developed a distinctive style of their own, which branched off further as various alternative methods of manufacture and crafting evolved in different regions.
Types of Blue and White Japanese Porcelain
Blue and white Japanese porcelain products are highly attractive; however, they are not solely for decoration. Common items made from Japanese porcelain include:
– Japanese tea sets – tea is a big part of the Japanese way of life, with the Japanese tea ceremony being a very important ritual for times when guests are present. Having an attractive tea set makes this event even more special. Of course, you could still use your Japanese tea set for everyday use or simply to add a decorative touch to your home. It wouldn’t look out of place on an attractive dresser or sideboard, or even as a centrepiece on your dining table.
– Japanese vases – blue and white Japanese porcelain vases are commonplace. As with tea sets, Japanese vases can be functional as well as decorative.
– Japanese tableware – blue and white Japanese pottery is perfect for presenting food in style, and will add a touch of authenticity to Japanese dishes.
Japanese Porcelain in the West
Japanese porcelain has had a great influence on European designs ever since the Dutch East India Company first imported it into Europe in 1650. A continued fascination with Japanese culture has helped keep our love of this wonderful art form alive over the centuries.
Not only is blue and white Japanese porcelain still extremely common in homes and dining rooms around the UK; other variants are also beginning to catch on. For example, you can now buy Japanese tea sets in a range of styles, perfect for serving tea to guests or even as a quirky way to enjoy your breakfast cuppa. There are some great ones here, as well as a range of other unusual Japanese gifts for all occasions.