In this study, the roles and characteristics of government organizations and officials related to
manufacturing of royal wares were compared and examined, with a focus on the 15th century when the
royal kilns system was introduced in the Joseon Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty. The study focused
on the fact that the 15th century was a period when the royal wares manufacturing systems began to
be implemented, and that the systems were only observed in Joseon and Ming. The two countries’
universality and specificity of the systems were examined through close comparison of public
organizations and officials related to handling royal wares manufacturing, handling the requisition and
supervision of craftsmen and supervising the overall manufacturing process.
First, comparison was made as to which organizations were in charge of manufacturing royal
wares in the two countries. Considering the Yukjo system (a governance system of Joseon and Ming),
the roles of craftmen who built kilns and made wares with earth were equivalent to that of Gongjo.
Gongbu of Ming manufactured and supplied wares used in royal palaces, including royal wares from
the period of Hongmu reign(1368~1398). In Joseon, all wares used in royal palaces were supplied
based on the taxation system managed by Hojo and Sagiso (royal kilns), which was an organization
reporting to Saongwon (office under Yijo) established in 1467. It is noteworthy that the manufacturing
and supply of royal wares were managed under the Yijo system not the Gongjo system in Joseon
period.
Next, roles of Gamjogwan (manufacturing supervisors) and Gamgonggwan (potter supervisors)
who played a vital part in manufacturing wares in line with the style and quality demanded by the
Emperor and King were compared. In Ming, the eunuchs were dispatched from the period of Seondeok
reign(1426~1435) when the full-fledged operation of the royal kiln began, serving as manufacturing
supervisors. Officials of Gongbu served as potter supervisors. The eunuchs were dispatched to
the royal wares manufacturing site, as it was effective in manufacturing quality wares that the
Emperor ordered to be completed in a short time. Joseon also dispatched the eunuch as supervisors
for manufacturing royal wares, who handled the manufacturing and management of royal wares
at Saongbang, consisting of eunuchs. In addition, as royal wares were manufactured based on the taxation system in the early Joseon period, some cases show that local officials acted as supervisors
of manufacturing and potter. The roles of eunuch in manufacturing of royal wares were abolished in
1467, when Sagiso was established in Saongwon and officials of Saongwon served as manufacturing
supervisors.
Third, scopes and roles of Saongwon and Guanglusi, office of royal cuisines, in manufacturing royal
wares were compared. Guanglusi of Ming defined the type and quantity of royal wares used at royal
palaces by year, and notified Gongbu of the information. Guanglusi of Ming also managed wares,
preventing losses and damages of wares, but was not directly involved in the manufacturing process.
On the contrary, Sagiso was established under Saongwon in 1467 as the royal kiln, and it secured
fuel for manufacturing royal wares, developed new firing techniques, and supervised potters and
manufacturing.