1. Chin Jukan

CHIN JUKAN

寿官 - 壽官

Chin Jukan XII (1835 - 1906)

Chin Jukan Workshop (established c. 1598 and still existing as Chin Jukan, 15th generation

 

Chin Jukan XII (Shim Soo Kwan in Korean language), born in 1835 was a direct descendent of Shim Dang Kil, one of the Korean potters  who were captured by the Daimyo of Satsuma, Yoshihiro SHIMAZU in the war against Korea in 1597 and settled in Shimabara in Kushikino area. In 1605 Shim Dang Kil established the Naeshirogawa Ware Kiln where he found the Chine a (white) clay went on to develop Satsuma nishikide ware.

For approximately 400 years, Chin Jukans family have passed on the mastery through generations. After the collapse of the shogunate system  the official kilns became privatized and Satsuma nishikide that was once restricted only for official production and use could be made and owned by anyone. During this era of privatization Chin Jukan XII ho took lead in the production of Satsuma nishikide, by establishing a pottery factory at Mt. Gyokō in 1875, taking in potters who had lost protection from the feudal clan. He used the artistic name of Gyokuzan from that time till 1897. The artistry of Chin Jukan XII was immediately recognized after the first successful exhibition in Vienna in 1873 and opened up trade paths for Satsuma Ware to Austria, Russia, America, and other countries and made Satsuma Ware the pronoun of the Japanese ceramics.

Chin Jukan XII uniquely created around 1879 the technique to apply fine openwork over the entire porcelain, sometimes combining this with painting as well. The sophisticated technique and the refined beauty of his works won him high acclaims at expositions and other events. Today, this technique is still carry out by his descendants and remains one of the representative techniques of Satsuma ware.