National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Earthenware is divided into ceramics and porcelain, depending on how clay-made objects are baked. An object mixed with white clay and baked at a high temperature is called china or porcelain. Sagijang refers to this skill or to an officially recognized artisan with such a skill. Ceramics and porcelain, particularly blue porcelain made during the Goryeo Period (877 – 1394) and thereafter are recognized as the best in the world. During the Joseon Period (1392 – 1910), Saongwon (Palace Kitchen Management) was in charge of porcelain production. Its branch in Gyeonggi-do made special objects to be used by the royal family. The government-run porcelain kilns were closed toward the late Joseon Period, following which porcelain artisans started private businesses in Mungyeong, Goisan, and Danyang. As for the process of china production, first of all, sandy soil is put into water to remove foreign materials. A desired form of is made with the soil, using a foot-operated spinning wheel. The object is then put into a kiln for pre-firing. Glaze is applied to the pre-fired object, and it is again put into a kiln for second firing. Experts say that grayish-blue-powdered celadon of Joseon evokes a folksy and lively feeling, while white porcelain evokes the character of a gracious scholar.

National Intangible Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea Onggijang refers to the skill of making earthenware pots and jars, or to an artisan with such a skill. Koreans have used earthenware pots and jars for thousands of years. The place where an earthenware artisan worked was called Onggijeom, which was divided into a workshop and a kiln. Traditional pots and jars, along with porcelain items, were the main items produced in private kilns. Pots and jars were made after the application of caustic soda to the surface of clay-made objects and putting them through a pre-firing stage. Just 40 or 50 years ago, there were many places selling traditional pots and jars across the country. Their number stood at about 500 when surveys were made in 1968 and 1969. However, they have been pushed aside by their machine-made western cousins. Traditionally, caustic soda was used as glazing in the production of pots and jars. Recently, it was replaced by a lead oxide named Gwangmyeongdan. With the use of lead glazing, the quality of pots and jars declined and the number of Onggijeom decreased to about 250 by 1984 and to less than 199 by 1989. Stainless steel and plastic goods have pushed traditional pots and jars out of the market.