Porcelain in Japanese life
暮らしの中の磁器

China reopened their kilns in the 1680s and their affordable, high-quality porcelains attracted Dutch traders. In 1757, the Dutch East India Company ended its official business with Japan. Japanese ceramics continued to be traded to Europe through private trade in smaller numbers.

The craftsmen of Arita turned their attention to the growing domestic market. They made fashionable porcelain in new designs and styles to suit Japanese dining culture and lifestyles.

woodblock print showing a large red fish served on a porcelain dish beside some small serving plates.

Scene from a kabuki play 夢結蝶鳥追

Toyokuni III (1786-1865), Edo [Tokyo], Japan, 1856

Woodblock prints offer glimpses into how ceramics were used. In this print, a large red fish is served on a porcelain dish beside some small serving plates.

Woodblock print. Purchased with the assistance of the Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives, 2022. Or2022.12

Print showing three women preparing food at a restaurant. One woman carries porcelain bowls filled with food on a lacquer tray. In the background is a table laid out with food and two large bottles.

Eight Views of Edo Figures 江戸姿八契

Kunisada I (1786-1865), Edo [Tokyo], Japan, 1815-1842

This print shows three women preparing food at a restaurant. One woman carries porcelain bowls filled with food on a lacquer tray. In the background is a table laid out with food and two large bottles.

Woodblock print. Purchased with the assistance of the Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives, 2022. Or2022.10

woodblock print depicting a scene from a Kabuki play

Scene from a kabuki play 芝居絵

Toyokuni III (1786-1865), 1861, Edo [Tokyo], Japan

This woodblock print depicts a scene from a Kabuki play. The seated man enjoys a meal and holds a cup of sake, rice wine. A sake flask is on the floor before him. A stack of used porcelain bowls rests on the window ledge.

Woodblock print. Purchased with the assistance of the Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives, 2022. Or2022.11

woman in a woodblock print uses small porcelain dishes to hold the ink for a fan painting and a larger porcelain bowl to wash her brushes. A ceramic brush pot and water dropper sits on her desk

'Dragon' from the series: The Twelve Zodiac Signs 十二支の内：辰

Toyokuni III (1786-1865), Edo [Tokyo], Japan, 1847-52

Ceramics were not just used for dining. The woman in this woodblock print uses small porcelain dishes to hold the ink for a fan painting and a larger porcelain bowl to wash her brushes. A ceramic brush pot and water dropper sits on her desk.

Woodblock print. Purchased with the assistance of the Friends of Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives, 2022. Or2022.14