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Japanese Export Porcelain in the Ashmolean Museum

The Background to Japanese Export Porcelain

Japan at the beginning of the 17th century also had problems. The Portuguese traders had brought with them Jesuit priests who had converted many of the Japanese to Christianity. In 1639 the Japanese Shogunate decided to expel the Portuguese and purge the country of Christians. The country was then closed to outside influence.

Only the Chinese and Dutch were allowed to trade with Japan and then only under humiliating, but profitable, circumstances from small outposts just outside the port of Nagasaki.

Map of the Japanese Island of Kyushu

Background

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last updated: jcm/2-feb-2004