Satsuma ware is a type of Japanese pottery, originally from Satsuma Province, southern Kyūshū. Today, it is divided into two distinct categories: the original, plain clay of early Satsuma (1600s), and the elaborately decorated export Satsuma mainly of ivory colored clay, on which various decorations are added.
This export style began to proliferate after 1868 (early Meiji period) when Japan was opened to the rest of the world. By then it was designed in many Japanese cities and catered to the tastes of Western consumers who liked what they thought were exotic “oriental” effects. However, it can suffer from over-exuberant decoration when done for its own sake. Nonetheless, Satsuma ware is one of the most recognized and popular export products of the Meiji period.
Export (Meiji) Satsuma is very ornate, often featuring Samurai, and snakes winding around the vessel. Moriage Satsuma adds raised clay features and textures to the otherwise smooth surface in a separate production stage.
