[Korea Root] Joseon White Porcelain 'Jagiso (瓷器所)' and 'Dogong (陶工)'

Skilled Artisan Joins Saongwon... Establishing the Master Craftsman System
Division of Labor and Collaboration, Productivity and Technology Improvement... Dispatch of Bunjo-gwan, Creativity Obstacles
Bunwon Self-Office Moves According to Raw Material Sources, Settles at Present Bunwon-ri

[Asia Economy Reporter La Young-cheol] The city of Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province has identified the branch of the Joseon Dynasty’s government-operated pottery manufacturing site, 'Saongwon (司饔院),' as a competitive asset to enhance economic vitality and added value based on ceramic culture.

In an interview with this publication, Shin Dong-heon, mayor of Gwangju, proudly stated, "Gwangju is the hometown of Joseon royal white porcelain (Baekja), and as a ceramic mecca, potters still dedicate their spirit to their work to continue the old fame."

According to Gyeonggi Province historical records, the period when the Saongwon branch was established in Gwangju varies slightly depending on historians, but the upper limit is roughly estimated to be the 1430s or the late 1460s.

Notably, the porcelain made at the branch was used as official ware (Gwan-eoyong, 官御用) for the royal family and state ceremonies, and could not be privately owned or traded.

This article explores the historical background and reasons for the establishment of the ceramic manufacturing site in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, and how it was operated. [Editor's note]

◈ Series Order

① Establishment of the 'Pottery Manufacturing Site (官營沙器製造場)' Branch

② Porcelain Workshop (瓷器所) and Potters (陶工)

③ Crisis of the Porcelain Workshop and the Sorrows of the Potters

■ The Best Branch Potters (陶工) of Joseon

Gonjiam Ceramic Park [Gwangju City]

According to Gyeonggi Province records, the work of firing porcelain at the branch porcelain workshop was carried out by nationally designated potters affiliated with government offices, who took turns working for a set period. Except for 2 to 3 months in winter, once engaged, they worked for periods ranging from as short as 3 months to as long as 6 months depending on the season.

The branch selected highly skilled local artisans and placed them under Saongwon’s jurisdiction. This was a factor that caused quality differences between central and regional porcelain. While the quality and decorative techniques of royal and government white porcelain were excellent, the quality of porcelain produced in the provinces was low. As the technological gap between the center and provinces widened, the system of branch-affiliated potters was established around the 18th century.

Subsequently, porcelain manufacturing technicians working at the branch porcelain workshop were fixed in their roles, while others were excluded from work and instead paid taxes in the form of cloth. This was to ensure the continuous employment of skilled technicians and secure high-quality ceramics. The technicians affiliated with the branch were recognized as the finest potters (陶工) in Joseon.

They were the most professional artisans in Joseon society at the time, receiving fixed salaries as craftsmen (匠人).

■ Division of Labor and Collaboration in the Porcelain Workshop (瓷器所)

Bunwon Baekja Museum [Gwangju City]

The branch porcelain workshop produced ceramics through a strict division of labor system. Skilled workers were assigned to each stage of the process and led the work. The process was divided into stages such as refining and softening the collected white clay, wheel-throwing the vessels, glazing, and kiln firing.

Division of labor and collaboration increased productivity and technological advancement. However, artisans affiliated with the branch had to strictly adhere to production standards set by the court. From raw materials to shapes, patterns, and colors, they were always under court supervision. To this end, Saongwon dispatched supervisors (Beonjogwan) to oversee the entire porcelain production process.

This system was suitable for producing high-quality ceramics that met standards but was a significant obstacle to artisans’ creativity and the production of diverse porcelain.

The annual quantity of porcelain that the manufacturing technicians had to produce at the branch, excluding special porcelain for royal events, was typically between 1,300 juk (1 juk = 10 pieces) and 1,370 juk.

In addition to two regular annual tributes of porcelain, they had to produce a considerable amount of ceramics requested by various central government agencies. The produced porcelain was delivered to the royal family and central government offices via the Han River waterway.

■ Establishment of the Branch Porcelain Workshop (瓷器所)

The branch porcelain workshop was not fixed in one location but generally moved around various places in the Gwangju area every 10 years or so, repeatedly opening and closing. Areas with abundant trees were selected as firewood supply regions necessary for kiln operations, and the workshop was relocated accordingly. When firewood supply became difficult, it moved to another area.

According to Ujangcheok’s report to the king based on opinions from Saongwon officials and the head of manufacturing: "There is a suitable place to establish a branch kiln (Beonso, 燔所) about 15 ri northwest from the current branch location, called Taprip-dong. It is backed by a mountain, has water in front, making it habitable, and is abandoned land, so there is no great difficulty in setting up. (...) The people of the branch also wish to move here." - 『Seungjeongwon Ilgi』 Volume 256, 2nd year of King Sukjong (1676), August 28

At that time, six myeon (townships) in Gwangju’s mountainous areas were used as branch locations. However, as slash-and-burn farmers (Hwajeonmin) reclaimed the land for fields, it became very difficult to restore the dense forests.

Yet, the government could not simply evict the Hwajeonmin. Feeling the burden, the court, after much deliberation, allowed the Hwajeonmin to cultivate the land but required them to pay firewood as tax to ensure stable operation of the branch porcelain workshop.

Some suggested fixing the branch porcelain workshop in one location altogether. This was due to the increasing demand for porcelain and the costs and inconvenience of frequently relocating the branch. The decisive reason for advocating a fixed branch was more about operational efficiency than consideration for the Hwajeonmin.

However, the branch porcelain workshop did not immediately settle in one place but moved around various locations in the Gwangju area for some time. It was only by the mid-18th century that it settled permanently in the current Namjong-myeon, Bunwon-ri.

In this way, during the Joseon Dynasty, handicraft manufacturing sites frequently moved following raw material sources rather than sales markets or transportation conditions. As a result, facilities were temporary and limited in scale, which was a major obstacle to the development of handicrafts at the time.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.