Hidden Stories of the Region
The legacy of Joseon white porcelain
that runs through Gwangju
I always thought that Icheon was the only place known for pottery, but I have come to realize that Gwangju in Gyeonggi-do is actually the birthplace of Joseon white porcelain. Over 300 kilns dispersed across Gwangju stand as evidence of this. The natural beauty and the people of Gwangju have made it the capital of Joseon white porcelain. Within the embrace of Gwangju where white porcelain has been crafted for centuries, what stories lie untold?
Written by Cho Su-bin Photos by the National Museum of Korea, Gyeonggi Ceramic Museum, Gwangju City Hall
The delicate yet enduring beauty carved by nature's hand
A smooth, flowing curve, a natural landscape delicately painted on a milky-white canvas—this is the story of Joseon white porcelain. Including 59 designated cultural assets (18 national treasures and 41 treasures), Joseon white porcelain is scattered among museums in Korea and around the world. A visit to Gwangju is a journey into the history of Joseon white porcelain. For over four centuries, the white porcelain kilns called Bunwon of Saongwon—which is responsible for producing the royal white porcelain of the Joseon Dynasty and ensuring its adherence to strict standards of form and quality—were located in Gwangju, which at that time had all the right ingredients for Joseon white porcelain to flourish: fertile soil, abundant firewood and water, proximity to the capital (Hanyang), and easy transportation thanks to its location on Hangang River.
Saongwon Bunwon was first established in Gwangju during the late 15th century. To fire porcelain, wood fuel was essential for Bunwon, so Bunwon was relocated to different firewood-rich mountains every ten years. As a result, kiln sites for firing Joseon white porcelain emerged throughout the Gwangju area, including Toechon-myeon, Silchon-myeon, Chowol-myeon, Docheok-myeon, Gyeongan-myeon, and Opo-myeon. Over 330 kilns still remain today, and 68 of them were designated as national historic sites and are carefully preserved and managed.
The most quintessentially Korean stories told by Gwangju
Having slowed down during the war turmoil of the mid-Joseon period, Bunwon experienced a resurgence in the 18th century but gradually lost its competitiveness amidst Japanese ceramics and Western porcelain. In 1883, Bunwon underwent privatization in an attempt at reform but ultimately failed to weather the storm of change. Despite the ups and downs of history, however, the legacy of Joseon white porcelain has endured to this day, largely due to the contributions of countless unsung potters. Scattered potters from across the nation reunited in Gwangju following the liberation. The rich legacy of traditional and industrial ceramics has paved the way for a flourishing pottery industry, with numerous pottery workshops and villages emerging since the 1960s. Renowned moon jar potter Kwon Dae-Sup also opened an earthen kiln in Paldang, Gwangju.
The sounds of laughter at Gonjiam Ceramic Park, the aura of tranquility at Gyeonggi Ceramics Museum, and the earthy aroma permeating the Gwangju Royal Ceramic Conference—all these elements reflect how "ceramics" continues to be a familiar aspect of Gwangju's culture even today. The spirit of Joseon white porcelain, which seamlessly blends tradition and innovation, is deeply embedded in Gwangju. Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that the history of Joseon white porcelain is Gwangju itself.
