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What is the history behind the methods of traditional Japanese pottery?
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The history of traditional Japanese pottery dates back to the Yayoi period (c. 300 BCE – c. 300 CE), when a style of pottery known as Jōmon-ware first became popular in Japan. This style is characterized by a rope-like pattern imprinted onto the surface of the pottery, a feature that continues to be used in Japanese pottery today. During the Kofun period (c. 300–538 CE), pottery known as Sue ware first began to be produced; this style featured a white slip coating and a coil-built pottery technique. In the Heian period (794–1185), a variety of stoneware was introduced to Japan, and it was during this period that many traditional glazing techniques such as ash glaze, iron glaze, and celadon were developed. Japan has also had a strong cultural affinity for tea for centuries, which has contributed to the development of its pottery; in the 16th century, the tea ceremony was deliberately used to shape the aesthetic of Japanese pottery, leading to the popularization of styles such as Oribe, Kakiemon, and Hagi ware.