Jar

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

It was in the Karatsu area of the island of Kyushu that Korean potters first introduced the noborigama, or climbing kiln, to Japan. This type of kiln was more advanced than previous ones, and allowed for better control during firing. This jar, painted with a simple motif reminiscent of the character dai, or great, was made in such a kiln. This austere aesthetic was promoted by followers of the tea ceremony during the Momoyama period. The techniques employed by Korean potters at Karatsu kiln sites were integral to the emergence of porcelain production in Japan in the early seventeenth century.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art