Facts About Pottery and Porcelain 

Differences between pottery and porcelain

*Characteristics

Pottery is made mainly of clay (china clay) and is characterized by its soft appearance. To prevent water absorption and increase strength, pottery is glazed before firing. When fired at high temperatures of 900-1200℃, the glaze forms a glassy film, resulting in a glossy finish.

Porcelain includes various types such as “Sometsuke,” where underglaze painting is done before applying a transparent glaze, and “Uwae,” where decoration is done after firing. Other types include “celadon” and “white porcelain,” which highlight the beauty of the material itself. Porcelain produces a hard sound when flicked with a finger.

*Ingredients:

Pottery is made from clay kneaded from the earth. Therefore, the color of the clay varies from reddish to yellowish depending on the type of organic matter it contains.

Porcelain is made from stone-derived clay. Since it contains almost no organic matter, its color is white.

*Firing temperature

Pottery is fired at 1,000 to 1,200 degrees Celsius, and porcelain at 1,200 to 1,300 degrees Celsius. This is related to the difference in the composition of the two types of clay. Porcelain contains more glass components. The glass component does not melt easily unless fired at high temperatures, which is why porcelain is fired at higher temperatures.

*Water absorbency

While pottery allows water to permeate through it, porcelain does not.

When used as tableware, it is important to note that pottery is highly water absorbent, so moisture from food tends to permeate through it and settle as stains. In this respect, porcelain is easier to care for than pottery when it comes to stains.

*History

The history of Japanese pottery is one of the oldest in the world, with the oldest Jomon earthenware excavated in Japan dating back 16,500 years. Pottery is said to have its roots in this earthenware, and it was not until the Nara period (710-794) that what we call modern pottery was born. Two types of pottery, green-glazed and ash-glazed ceramics, are said to be the first artificially glazed ceramics created in Japan.

Porcelain is said to have originated in China during the Later Han Dynasty and was introduced from China to Florence, Italy, around the 16th century, causing a porcelain boom in Europe. Around the same time, porcelain was also introduced to Japan, and the first Japanese porcelain was made in Arita, Saga Prefecture. This is where the history of Japanese porcelain, known as Arita-yaki and Imari-yaki, began.

*Representative Pottery Locations

Mashiko-yaki, Kasama-yaki, Hagi-yaki, Karatsu-yaki, and Satsuma-yaki are representative ceramics used for tableware and tea utensils. Arita-yaki (Imari-yaki), Kutani-yaki, and Seto-yaki are representative porcelains. Many people can picture the characteristics of these porcelains by hearing their names. The base material is white, and brightly colored overglaze painting is applied.