In Japan, during the years 1868-1912.
The Meiji period is a period in Japanese history that lasted from 1868 to 1912. At this time Japan began to open up towards the West and embrace Western ideas and technologies. The government implemented sweeping reforms in areas such as education, law, and the military, and encouraged Japanese businesses to adopt Western-style industrialization practices.
Prior to the Meiji period, Japan was largely isolated from the rest of the world and had maintained a strict policy of national seclusion for over two centuries. However, in the mid-19th century, Japan was forced to open up its borders to foreign trade following pressure from the United States and other Western powers.
The Meiji period also saw the emergence of Japan as a major exporter of goods, particularly in the area of porcelain and ceramics. Japanese porcelain and ceramics became popular in Europe and America.
Japanese new class of well educated business men and entrepreneurs participated in several world exhibitions during the Meiji period to showcase for example its own porcelain and ceramics, as well as to learn from the techniques and styles of other countries.
One of the most significant exhibitions for Japan was the 1873 Vienna World Exposition, where Japanese porcelain and ceramics were showcased to a European audience for the first time. The Japanese exhibit, which featured traditional ceramics such as Imari and Satsuma ware, was a great success and helped to establish Japan as a major producer and exporter of high-quality porcelain.
Subsequent world exhibitions, including the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876, the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1889, and the Chicago World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, also featured Japanese porcelain and ceramics. These exhibitions helped to introduce Japanese ceramics to a wider audience and spurred interest in Japanese art and culture.
In addition to showcasing their own porcelain and ceramics, Japanese artisans and manufacturers also used these exhibitions as an opportunity to study the techniques and styles of other countries, particularly Europe. This exchange of ideas and techniques helped to inform and shape the development of Japanese porcelain and ceramics during the Meiji period and beyond.
While being important, the ceramics industry was not the only industry to successfully enter the the export trade. Some of the most important Japanese exports during this time included:
Overall, the Meiji period was a time of significant growth and development for Japan's economy and industry, and its exports played a major role in establishing Japan as a major world power.
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