Yi Sam-P’yŏng (Ri Sanpei in Japanese), probably the most famous Korean immigrant potter in Japan, is credited with discovering porcelain stone and initiating a porcelain industry in Arita. The term “Arita ware” is commonly used in English to describe the blue and white porcelain produced in Arita, especially after 1897 when a railroad to Arita was built for transporting pottery. However, the historical porcelain named “Arita” was produced not only in Arita kilns but also in other regional kilns of different domains.

The early Karatsu kilns were constructed near Kishidake Castle, south of today’s Karatsu City, in the 1580s. Under new patronage of the daimyo Terasawa Hirotaka (1563–1633), Karatsu ware kilns were expanded into other areas such as the towns of Takeo, Imari, and Arita. Following the arrival of Korean potters after the Imjin War, Karatsu ware developed into a major and sought-after ceramic in Japan. Karatsu kilns produced both utilitarian and luxury items, such as tea ware, and these products were widely circulated to various regions of Japan. Karatsu ware is famous for its rustic and natural aesthetic.

Following the Imjin War, the Korean potter Kŏ Gwan (Kyokan or Koseki in Japanese), originally from Ungch’ŏn, Ch’angwŏn City in South Kyŏngsang Province, was brought to Japan and employed by the daimyo Matsuura Takanobu (act. 1603–1637). He established the first kiln in the village of Nakano in Hirado. After porcelain stone was discovered by Kŏ Gwan’s son, Sannojō (1610–1694) in the nearby village of Mikawachi, the daimyo ordered the relocation of the potters from Nakano. Subsequently, Mikawachi became a porcelain production center and the distinctive characteristics of Mikawachi ware (more popularly known as Hirado ware) are found in its clay body of milky whiteness and strength.

Following the Imjin War, the daimyo Ōmura Yoshiaki (1568–1616) brought back Korean potters to establish a kiln in his province, Hasami in today’s Nagasaki Prefecture. One of the head potters, Yi Ukyŏng opened the first kiln in 1599 and began making porcelain in Hata no hara. Hasami later became one of the leading porcelain manufactories in Japan, rivaling the porcelain production in Arita.

Satsuma ware was founded by Korean potters brought by the daimyo Shimazu Yoshihiro (1535–1619) after the Imjin War. These potters were settled in Naeshirogawa, Tateno, and Ryūmonji. The two best-known types of Satsuma ware are white Satsuma made exclusively for the Shimazu and black Satsuma for daily use.

The first Takatori potters, P’alsan (Hachizō in Japanese) and his family, were probably brought to Japan during or after the Imjin War and they began making ceramics primarily for the Kuroda family, rulers of Fukuoka domain. Although the early Takatori kilns produced a mix of both utilitarian and specialized wares, Takatori ware later established its reputation as elite tea ware. Takatori exhibits variations in style and the most famous Takatori ceramics are tea caddies (chaire).

The manufacture of Agano ware began following the daimyo Hosokawa Tadaoki’s (1563–1646) entry into Buzen Province (now part of Fukuoka Prefecture) in 1602. The newly appointed daimyo of Buzen, Hosokawa moved a Korean potter, Chon Hae (Sonkai in Japanese), who had first arrived in Karatsu, to begin ceramic production in his domain. Although there are a variety of styles, the best-known type of Agano ware is tea-related items with brown-black glazes.

According to the genealogy of the potters of Hagi ware, it was founded by two Korean brothers – Yi Chakkwang and Yi Kyŏng – who had been brought to Japan during or after the Imjin War at the end of the sixteenth century. Although today Hagi ware is best known as elite tea ware, the archaeological findings suggest that Hagi kilns produced both tableware for everyday use and tea-related ceramics.