Changes

Found in archaeological excavations in sites throughout the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryûkyû Islands]] and coastal parts of [[Kyushu]], the origins of Sue wares were unclear until 1983, when a major production site - seemingly, the primary production site in the entire region - was discovered near the southern tip of Tokunoshima. ''Kamuiyaki'' wares are now understood to have been produced primarily on Tokunoshima, and traded via the nearby island of [[Kikaigashima]], though some kilns have been found elsewhere. Tokunoshima's forests, which provided ample firewood for the kilns, and arable land which produced food to support the potters and others, made for a good environment for such large-scale pottery production; some scholars have suggested that ''kamuiyaki'' production played a key role in the deforestation of the island in the premodern period.<ref name=smits21>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu, 1050-1650'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 21-22.</ref>

Found in archaeological excavations in sites throughout the [[Ryukyu Islands|Ryûkyû Islands]] and coastal parts of [[Kyushu]], the origins of Sue wares were unclear until 1983, when a major production site - seemingly, the primary production site in the entire region - was discovered near the southern tip of Tokunoshima. ''Kamuiyaki'' wares are now understood to have been produced primarily on Tokunoshima, and traded via the nearby island of [[Kikaigashima]], though some kilns have been found elsewhere. Tokunoshima's forests, which provided ample firewood for the kilns, and arable land which produced food to support the potters and others, made for a good environment for such large-scale pottery production; some scholars have suggested that ''kamuiyaki'' production played a key role in the deforestation of the island in the premodern period.<ref name=smits21>Gregory Smits, ''Maritime Ryukyu, 1050-1650'', University of Hawaii Press (2019), 21-22.</ref>

A strong trade in turbo (turban) shells (used for [[mother-of-pearl]] inlay) helped finance the establishment and maintenance of the kilns. But Korean knowledge and technology was essential as well, and it is believed that potters on Tokunoshima likely had strong contacts with Korean potters, whether directly (i.e. with Korean potters coming to Tokunoshima) or indirectly via contacts with [[Iki Island]], [[Tsushima]], or mainland Kyushu. ''Kamuiyaki'' kilns on mainland Kyushu date to around the 11th-12th centuries, and Korean ceramics (as trade goods) have been found on Kikai and Tokunoshima as well.<ref name=smits21/>

A strong trade in [[turbo shell|turbo (turban) shells]] (used for [[mother-of-pearl]] inlay) helped finance the establishment and maintenance of the kilns. But Korean knowledge and technology was essential as well, and it is believed that potters on Tokunoshima likely had strong contacts with Korean potters, whether directly (i.e. with Korean potters coming to Tokunoshima) or indirectly via contacts with [[Iki Island]], [[Tsushima]], or mainland Kyushu. ''Kamuiyaki'' kilns on mainland Kyushu date to around the 11th-12th centuries, and Korean ceramics (as trade goods) have been found on Kikai and Tokunoshima as well.<ref name=smits21/>

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