“The moon—especially the full moon—is widely regarded as containing auspicious energy. It symbolizes abundance and fertility, inspires people to make wishes, and often evokes longing for someone dear. There exists a remarkable work of art that expresses this very image of the moon.

Even those who are not particularly interested in traditional Korean culture often find themselves in awe before the white porcelain moon jars of the Joseon Dynasty. These jars were not treated as anything more than ordinary utilitarian objects until the 20th century. However, beginning in the 20th century, Joseon moon jars started to receive immense admiration from scholars, antique collectors, and artists alike, both in the East and the West. Countless modern and contemporary ceramicists, as well as sculptors, photographers, and painters, have created works that reinterpret and capture their beauty—too many to mention individually.

Contrary to common assumptions, a moon jar is not formed in a single step. The upper and lower halves of the body are made separately and then joined together, after which the entire form is refined. The reason why perfectly spherical jars are rare, despite the name “moon jar,” lies in this production process. Moreover, even after the form is completed, the jar must endure firing in a kiln at around 1,300°C. During this process, many collapse, crack, or deform due to their own weight, internal tension, and extreme heat. From a modern perspective, moon jars may not seem particularly large. However, in the Joseon era—when clay was kneaded by hand, wheels were turned by foot, and kilns were fired with wood—the size of a moon jar may well have represented the “maximum” achievable, shaped by countless variables and chance occurrences.

As both a person living in the modern era and a ceramic artist with a sense of vocation, I focus on reinterpreting the moon jar—an object embodying profound meaning, form, and the pinnacle of artistic beauty—in a way that resonates with contemporary sensibilities.”