Satsuma Pottery

What Is Satsuma Pottery?

Satsuma pottery was made in, or around Kagoshima in Kyushu, Japan in the later part of the 19th century, through to the early 1920’s in Satsuma in southern Japan. A typical piece if Satsuma pottery will be of a yellowy complexion and usually decorated with intricate and minute Japanese figures, landscapes and even dragons. The designs also feature a form of decration called moriage which is a term used to describe the use of raised enamel of Japanse pottery.

Why Is It So Collectible?

Original pieces, marked only with Japanese Kanji marks were eventually mass produced and made all over the world, turning the original skills of the ancient craftsmen into mere household objects and pieces that became available at any local antique shop. Many satsuma pieces that are from the original location and from makers such as the Kinkozan family are rare and if intact and in good condition, can fetch a high price from collectors.

There are many different pieces of Satsuma Pottery, but the most commonly collected are as follows:

	Satsuma Vase The Satsuma vases are probably the most collected pieces due to their fine decoration and intricate detail. Often coming as a pair (not identical), vases can measure up to several feet in height and were originally used for plain decoration, to hold flowers or were part of a display. The display vases are usually numbered underneath so you can tell the position it should be in.
	Satsuma Buttons These small pottery buttons were worn by Geisha girls and wealthy or powerful people. Coming in packs of 6 or more, these buttons have the most tiny and beautiful images painted on them and are a real collectors item.
	Satsuma Tea Set The Japanese tea ceremony is very important and therefore the Satsuma potters of the 18th century made entire tea sets in the same style as their vases and bowls. Also decorated with bright colors and images of Japanese life, the tea sets are highly valuable if they are all in one piece and in the original box.
	Satsuma Figure During the time that these original pieces were made, it was also popular for the potters to make small statues of Japanese people. These were often caricatures of important people or of the Immortals, who feature heavily in the decoration of the Satsuma pottery pieces.
	Satsuma Bowl Bowls are also a popular piece for people to collect. They are not large, around 12 inches in diameter, but are finely painted and decorated with enamel paints. These also feature images of wildlife, plants, places and people.

For more background information about the methods used to make these pieces, you can also read about the use of Gosu Blue coloring, Moriage, the method used to make raised enamel decorations and which books about Satsuma Pottery you can buy to help you identify each piece and the markings they have.