Cochin ware


Cochin ware, or Jiaozhi ware is a type of Chinese pottery from Guangdong Province, southern China.

History

Kochin pottery was brought to Taiwan in the 19th century.
The English term "Cochin" derives from the Chinese word Jiāozhǐ, which was used to describe various parts of the south, including Vietnam. The region of Cochinchina is an example of the term.
At that time, Cochin ware consisted mainly of decorations for the walls and roof ridges of temples, including human figures, animals, birds, and flowers in bright, glossy colors. Today, there are only a handful of craftspeople who still possess the traditional Cochin skills, most of whom are in the central-island city of Chiayi.

Japan

In Japan it is known as Kōchi ware. In the old capital city Kyoto the masters of the tea ceremony esteem Kōchi ware as small figures of animals, fish, flowers, dragons, the phoenix etc. Initially imported as shimamono, it became a part of Japanese pottery. The Koshun kiln is also a production centre in Kyoto.