|
|
|
|
| |
 |
Home > Local
Product > Ceramics |
|
| |
 |
|
|
The history of ceramics in Yeoju goes back a thousand
years. The fine grade clay, white clay and Kaolin
clay found in Sarisan have been used for centuries
to make Yeoju ceramics. Literature such as the Dongguk
Yeojiseungram, includes porcelain and ceramics as
one of the specialty products of Yeoju. Even today,
Yeoju ceramics are famous around the country.
Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Yeoju
became such an important center for ceramics,
based
the discovery of the Goryeo white clay porcelain
kiln in Jungam-ri, Buknaemyeon in March 1999 by
the National Museum of Korea, the record of Yeoju
porcelain in the Sejong Shirok (the chronicles
of
King Sejong), and the existence of antique Yeoju
porcelain today, it is presumed that this occurred
sometime during the early Goryeo Dynasty. Other
reports claim that the Kaolin clay, found in Sarisan
in Yeoju, was first brought to Yeoju by boat from
Gwangju bunwon (a branch of the government-controlled
ceramics factory in Gwangju), but as the bunwon
began to decline, five potters moved to Ogeum-ri,
Buknae-myeon(Yeoju-eub) to continue making the
famous Yeoju ceramics and porcelain we know of
today.
Towards the end of the 16th century, there were
200 or so ceramics and porcelain factories throughout
the country and records show that there was also
a ceramics factory in Yeoju at Ogeum-ri, Buknae-myeon(Yeoju-eub)
and Geumsa-myeon. However, ceramic arts during
the Joseon Dynasty took a big hit when the Japanese
invaded Korea. Thousands of potters were captured
and taken to Japan and most of the ceramics factories
including kilns were destroyed. Somehow, the white
clay porcelain managed to survive, but it wasn’t
until the latter years of the reign of the Joseon
king, Gwanghaegun, that the people began to take
notice of it again. Towards the end of the 17th
century, the materials for making ceramics were
so easy to find and get in Yeoju that it became
known as the “white clay porcelain capital of
the
country.” Around this time, ceramics-making spread
to Buknae-myeon (Uncheon-ri, Sanggyo-ri, Seokwu-ri),
Sangpum-ri Sanbuk-myeon, Samgun-ri Ganam-myeon,
Bundo-ri Neungseo-myeon and Yeoju-eub. There are
no clear records showing that ceramics were still
made in Yeoju towards the end of the Joseon Dynasty.
However, the fact that chamber pots and everyday
dishes made by potters from Ogeum-ri (Ham Gi-sun,
Han Ho-seok and Kim Mun-bae) and by potters who
moved to Yeoju after the Gwangju buwon finally
closed down in 1884 (Kim Hyeon-jae and Lee Hee-poong)
were
made and supplied throughout the country during
this time period is enough to show that ceramics-making
had still been at full-force then.
According to the 1932 records of the Joseon Colonial
Government Central Laboratory, those employed at
the Yeoju Laboratory included: Lee Im-jun (Head
Technical Director), Han Ho-seok (Head Clerical
Director), Ji Sun-taek, Ko Myeong-sun, Hae Gang
(sculptor) and Yu Geun-hyeong (sculptor). From these
records, we can assume that Yu Geun-hyeon and Ji
Sun-taek spent their early years studying ceramics
in Yeoju. These records prove, without a doubt,
that ceramics in Icheon started in Yeoju.
As the economy improved and the demand for ceramic
utensils and household goods increased, over 600
ceramics factories opened up in Yeoju, making it
the largest ceramics-producing center in Korea.
A wide variety of different types of ceramic items
were made putting Yeoju on the map as the center
for ceramics. This year marks the 17th year of the
Annual Yeoju Ceramics Expo. With every year, more
and more people come to see the beauty of Yeoju
ceramics and further cements Yeoju’s reputation
as the Korean leader in ceramics. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
