A pair of Edo-Meiji period bowls and covers

As of 1635 and during the Edo period (1603- 1868), Japan was closed to foreigners. This period of isolation is called the Sakoku. Japan had few contacts with foreign countries - some with geographically close countries such as Korea and China, and economic relations with only one: the United Provinces of the Netherlands through the East India Company. Any other foreigners faced the death penalty for entering Japan. Dutch traders were allowed in Dejima, which means ‘exit island’ in Japanese. This artificial island was built in the 1630s close to Nagasaki to host Portuguese and then Dutch traders, outside Japanese population centres to prevent Christian missionary activity or expansion. It was the only place in Japan where trade with European countries was allowed. The Dutch company was also based in Hirado, not far from the ports of Imari and Arita, which were known for their ceramics skills. In the 1850s, after years of almost total isolation, the USA negotiated a trading agreement, followed by France and Russia. The Japanese aristocracy disagreed with this decision and started revolts, which led to a dynastic change: the Edo was followed by the Meiji period (1868-1912). During the latter, ceramics production focused on exports. Nagasaki was still the main trading centre, where international trade made mutual artistic inspiration and European exotic trends such as Japonism possible. Many wealthy Europeans appreciated Japanese goods. Thus, to meet this demand, Japanese ceramics factories adapted patterns to European tastes and traders’ orders.