Exchange between the Ryukyu Islands and the Korean Peninsula from the Production of the Ceramic Industry in Tokunoshima

Archaeological evidence from Tokunoshima Island reveals that the production of 'Kamui-yaki' ceramics, previously thought to be sourced from various regions, was primarily manufactured locally. This discovery, supported by the excavation of kiln sites in Isenchō, indicates a significant ceramic industry centered on Tokunoshima during the 11th century, predating earlier estimates by about 50 years. The study also suggests that Kamui-yaki ceramics share stylistic similarities with Korean pottery from the Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392), implying cultural and trade exchanges between the Ryukyu Islands and the Korean Peninsula. Researchers propose that these exchanges were facilitated by international trade activities, such as the Japanese-Song (Jp.-Song) and Japanese-Liaoning (Jp.-Liao) trades, which thrived in ports like Hakata, Japan's sole international trade hub at the time.

Shinjato, A. (2020). Exchange between the Ryukyu Islands and the Korean Peninsula from the Production of the Ceramic Industry in Tokunoshima. Cultural Interaction Studies of Sea Port Cities, 22, 21–46. https://doi.org/10.35158/cisspc.2020.04.22.21