近代における三川内焼の評判と生産状況 : 国の報告書が産地に与えた影響近代における三川内焼の評判と生産状況 : 国の報告書が産地に与えた影響AA12709917 The Productions and the Reputations of the Mikawachi-Yaki Porcelain in Modern Japan : How did national official reports influence the production district ?
The purpose of this paper is to clarify why the Mikawachi-Yaki didn’t grow rapidly and greatly in Modern Japan. In Edo era, The Hirado-Yaki which was the Mikawachi-Yaki’s old name was one of the well-known porcelains. In addition, it began the overseas export of thin tea cups. However, in Meiji era, Mikawachi-Yaki had become famous by the decline and sluggish. By examination of that time’s production, it is proved that Mikawachi-Yaki grew up slowly like other many goods. But, SHIOTA Makoto, who was employed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, made the report which evaluated Mikawachi-Yaki low in spite of his having been an amateur of the earthenware. In addition, bureaucrats and engineers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce which followed him plagiarized his report. Based on the reputation mentioned above, the leaders of Mikawachi-Yaki made efforts to develop the technics of potters. However, paleness of the porcelain was really the problem that Mikawachi-Yaki of the Maiji period faced on. A lot of iron oxide was included in the clay of traditional raw materials. Porcelain’s paleness was evaluated in the Edo era, but its pure white was suitable for export in the Meiji era. Amakusa clay were the best raw materials of the pure white porcelain in Japan. However, Mikawachi-Yaki continued using the traditional clay which was more expensive than Amakusa clay. As above, Mikawachi-Yaki didn’t take measures to the essential problem, and was busy trying to irrelevant measures. In this way, believing in then authority, Mikawachi-Yaki lost an opportunity of the development.