[Photo] Unveiling ceremony to be held for statue of Korean “mother of Japanese pottery”

A statue of the famous Joseon-era potter Baek Pa-sun will be unveiled in the Japanese city of Arita on the island of Kyushu on Apr. 29. Baek is revered as the “mother of Japanese pottery,” and was the driving force behind the creation of Japan’s domestic porcelain production. The statue was cast by artist Ahn Seok-young, and was funded by a 130 million won (US$120,000) grant from the Gyeonggi provincial government.

Baek was captured with her husband by Japanese forces who invaded the Korean Peninsula from 1592-1598. She was then taken to the city of Arita with about 900 other Korean potters, which the group transformed into the center of Japanese ceramics production. “She is the first Korean woman to have a statue in Japan,” said Yoon Tae-woon, director of the Baek Pa-sun Memorial Society. She was a woman who suffered the misfortune of history, but through [her] we have an illuminating opportunity to once again examine the great history of Joseon Korea.” (by Hong Yong-deok, staff reporter)