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D.14cm　H.2.1cm

17th century

Edo period, Japan

There are various theories as to where Ko-Kutani originated, but the early stages of Imariyaki and Kutaniyaki colored porcelain, which began in the mid-17th century and were fired only for a few decades thereafter, are collectively referred to as the Ko-Kutani style. The production of Imariyaki began in the early 17th century with the introduction of technology from the Korean peninsula. At the beginning, it was not possible to produce colored porcelain, but by the middle of the 17th century, with the improvement of technology, it became possible to fire colored porcelain. This early type of colored porcelain is known as the Ko-Kutani style. The Ko-Kutani style was influenced by the coloured　 glaze of the Jingdezhen kilns and the Gosu coloured glaze of the Suzhou kilns, both of which were imported to Japan in large quantities at the time, as well as by the Tosa school and the Yamato-e style of decorative painting, centered on the Kano school, which was at its peak at the time. The Ko-Kutani style was basically a product for the domestic market, and was used as banquet tableware in the residences of feudal lords. In the latter half of the 17th century, Arita gradually shifted its main focus to overseas exports, and the Kakiemon style was transformed into the Kaki-emon style.