The museum at Maidstone has a surprisingly large collection of Japanese ceramics. In common with most museums, Maidstone only has space to show about 5% of its collection at any one time. The remainder is in store. It was therefore a treat to be invited by Fiona Woolley, curator of Fine and Applied Arts at the museum to handle a selection of items, and to visit the stores to see the remainder of the collection. Fiona started the visit with a well prepared presentation on the history of the museum and the context in which the pieces were made and collected.

The museum was founded on the collections of Dr Thomas Charles and opened in 1858. The building was originally his home. The museum received some ceramics in 1873 through the bequest of Julius Brenchley. The Hon. Henry Marsham travelled to Japan after his retirement and lived there for three years, making a significant collection of ceramics which was bequeathed to the museum in 1908. The Hon. Walter Samuel also made several bequests between 1923-1929 of ceramics collected on his travels.

Earthenware was made in Japan, as elsewhere, from Neolithic times. However, as with other aspects of Japanese culture, it developed into a refined art form, made by highly skilled craftspeople and commanding high prices. In 1600 the Togugawa family took control of the country and moved the capital to Edo (now Tokyo). They established Japan as a closed community, visitors were not permitted to enter, and citizens could not travel abroad. During this period the making of stoneware and earthenware concentrated on simplicity of form. Visible marks of making and the nature of the clay were expected to show, connecting the user with both the maker and the earth.

Japan traded with their neighbours Korea and China and were influenced by Chinese porcelain. This was initially imitated in stoneware and then, with the discovery of suitable domestic clays, in the early 17^th century, porcelain was developed in Arita and exported from Imari.

Trade was also established with the Dutch East India Company in the 17^th Century and this led to an awareness of Japanese ceramics in the West. The work made for export was generally different from the ware destined for internal consumption, being highly decorative and made in western shapes. Decorative wares were also made for the wealthy in Japan an example is the incredibly delicate eggshell porcelain and Nabeshima ware . With Marsham's stay coming shortly after Japan opened its borders in 1868, he was able to collect a significant quantity of these 'not-for-export' domestic items.

Our thanks to Fiona for an inspiring and interesting day.