Raku

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Comment by Steven Stamp,BFA on January 8th, 2009 at 12:36 am

I was reading the information about Raku and didn’t see any reference to Raku’s techinique origins in Korea and history.

Raku has its roots actually “originating in Korea”. It was brought to Japan by a Korean potter known as “Amenya”..and that latter changed his name to “Masakichi” when he settled in Kyoto..it was his wife” (Sen No Rikio) who after taking over his kiln made a sucess of it in Kyoto. Facts are the technique was “Imported” to Japan but was created earlier then the 16th century in Korea and that the technique was brought “back”..by artistians of Korean origin during invasions and trips by Japan, then adopted..by the budhists Monks in Japan who further developed it.(1)

“Much of Japan’s borrowing from China came via Korea and often reflected Korean adaptation of Chinese culture. The process was especially important in the fifth through eighth centuries. Japanese tribute missions to China during the Nara and Heian periods general traveled via Korea, often on Korean ships. The Japanese often imported Korean manufactured goods and art works which were used as models. For example, archaeology suggests that the distinctive swords and armor of the samurai are probably of Korean origin. Borrowing and influences from Korea were continuous: bonsai trees, raku ware pottery, sumo wrestling and Neo-Confucianism were imported from or influenced by Korea” 2

Ibid:

References:

1.Japan and China:Its History Arts and Lititure,F. Brinkly, page 32.Volume VIII,Keramic Art 1904

http://books.google.com/books?id=u-kVAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA32&dq=raku+began+in+korea#PPP5,M1

2.Michael J. Seth
James Madison University

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:8xQuXFoREfkJ:www.uba.ar/ceca/download/korean-history.doc+raku+roots+in+korea&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=15&gl=us

hope you get this claified,Leaving out the facts, discounts the cultural influences of Korea on Japan’s Raku and other arts and Industry..Time give credit where it is due??..

Regards, Steven S. Stamp,BFA (Ceramic’s)Eastern Michigan University 93″

1/8/09

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