Expansion of Japanese Ceramic Industry in Manchuria and Colonial Exploitation in the Early 20th Century; [20세기 전반 일본의 만주지역 요업 확장과 식민지적 운용]

초록

Towards the end of the Qing Dynasty and into the early Republic of China, the ceramics industry, a vital component of China's economy, faced stagnation. In response, the central government embarked on modernization efforts to rejuvenate the industry, achieving tangible progress such as establishing modern systems through the Porcelain Company. Despite these efforts, Japan aggressively exported goods to China, aiming to expand its trade and dominate the Chinese market. Additionally, the ceramics department within the central laboratory of the South Manchurian Railway Company was established to mass-produce ceramics for heavy chemical use, utilizing resources from Manchuria to meet the substantial material demands for foreign invasions. Furthermore, modern Japanese apprenticeships were extended to Chinese laborers to meet the daily ceramic needs of Japanese residents in the northeastern region. Thus, on the surface, the ceramics industry in the Northeast appeared to have expanded in various aspects. The Chinese ceramics industry underwent significant changes in production scale, distribution, technology, and infrastructure. However, these developments were not the result of natural growth but rather arose from the allocation of raw materials and products essential for Japan's ceramics sector. Moreover, they were fueled by the harsh exploitation of laborers in the northeastern ceramics industry, serving as a key aspect of Japan's broader strategy of mass colonization. Copyright © 2024 Art History Association of Korea.