As Japan opened trade with the western world Satsuma became very much in demand but this led to the demise of Satsuma as 19th century Satsuma became exuberated and the market was flooded with low quality examples ; these were so prolific that it has been all too easy in modern times to ensure that these were omnipresent and far inferior to the masters work and were not true examples of the product from Kyoto and were actually representative of true Satsuma.

Once the market became inundated with poor quality painted Satsuma wares made for export, the reputation of Satsuma became on a downward spiral and it declined very quickly. It has been over the last 20 years that collectors have begun to rediscover the merits of Satsuma with its insightful and sometimes whimsical insight into the life of the Japanese people and the culture, this has increased the need for high quality Satsuma, discerning collectors have been able to distinguish the best and the most superlative high quality examples from the innumerable numbers of mass-produced wares.

During the Edo period (1850’s) borders on porcelain contained dragons and the Shimazu family crest (cross in circle)was painted on a lot of pieces.

Near the close of the Momoyana period (1573-1603), Shimazu Yoshihiro the daimyo of Satsuma Province oversaw the Osumi Province as well.

At that time Shimazu conquered Korea in 1592-1596 and brought back to his homeland along with a number of skilled Korean potters. The potters were divided into 2 groups: Hochin (Kwa) and Boku He(Hae).

Each group settled into provinces: ** The 11 Satsuma schools were divided as follows:

1 Kobe

2 Kyoto

3 Awata

4 Ota

5 Awaji

6 Yokahama

7 Tokyo

8 Wakayama

9 Kiyomidzu

10 Gojozaka

11 Osaka

The periods for Satsuma dates are as follows

Satsuma wares have been traced to back to 17th century Japan, taking its name from the southern province of Kyushu Island. Seemingly enough, this type of pottery was actually transcended and developed by Korean potters. You will hear Satsuma referred as "pottery" or "porcelain" in fact it actually somewhere in between.

This type of porcelain is produced at lower kiln temperatures than porcelain but higher temperatures than you would typically use to make pottery. In 1598 the history of Satsuma pottery (Satsuma-yaki) was started, about 80 Korean potters were brought back with the 17th lord of the Satsuma (now Kagoshima) Shimazu Yoshihiro (* The potters were forced to come back).

Korean potters arrived to Kushikino, Kagoshima, Kaseda and Ichiki in "Kagoshima prefecture" (A governmental unit in Japan). The Shimazu Yoshihiro was versed in tea ceremony as one of the pupils of Sen-no-rikyu who was the master of "Sadou" (tea ceremony)".

Pottery produced in Korea was the most esteemed in the tea ceremony in those days.

They brought potters from Korea, because they wanted them to produce pottery in this territory and to promote the ceramic industry in order to improve Satsuma's economy. Satsuma pottery is known for its great variety, it was made in different areas in Kagoshima and was made by Korean potters from different regions in Korea.

What is Satsuma Yaki? Satsuma Yaki (薩摩焼, Satsuma ware) is a kind of Japanese pottery made in Satsuma Province (Kagoshima Pref. today).

From 1529 to 1598, the battle of Bunroku, Keichou (文禄・慶長の役) happened.

It was the conflict between Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

After this troop dispatch to the Korean Peninsula, Yoshihiro Shimazu, who was the 17th feudal lord of the Satsuma domain, brought back more than 80 Korean potters to Japan.

They opened kilns in various parts in the Satsuma domain and made different pottery types depending on their locations or style of a potter.

They were categorized into five styles: Naeshirogawa-Kei (苗代川系), Tateno-Kei (竪野系), Ryumonji-Kei (龍門司系),

Nishimochida-Kei (西餅田系), Hirasa-Kei (平佐系). And all of them are called Satsuma Yaki.