Karatsu pottery 唐津焼

Karatsu chawan (tea bowl) is very popular, as person of refined taste said: “First Ido, Second Raku, and Third Karatsu”. (A slightly later term, “First Raku, Second Hagi, and Third Karatsu,” is said to have been coined to describe only domestic products) Among other things, Karatsu tea bowls have unique features and atmosphere. The origin of Karatsu ware was Korean pottery actually. The potters were brought from Korea opened kilns and made Korean style pottery after Imjin War (1592-1597), Japanese Toyotomi Hideyoshi troops invaded Korea. While the story of its origin is a shameful episode in Japanese history, excellent Korean