In the Ching Dynasty, the bowls and dishes of Taiwan were mostly imported from Mainland China. It was said by Lien Heng in “Note of Industrial Art—Ceramic Production”, >, “The ceramic works in Taiwan were not popular. Dishes, jars, cups and bowls mostly came from Changchou and Chuancho, while the ones of better quality were made at Chingteh Town.” In these words, though the origins of ceramics were not accurate, yet the daily life ceramics in Taiwan during the Ching Dynasty, in particular the bowls and dishes, mostly were purchased from outside places through shipping. During the Japanese reign, they were mostly imported from Japan. In accompany with the defeat of Japan in World War II, Taiwan was restored to be under the reign of its home nation. It was required to pay tariff while ceramics made in Japan were to be imported in Taiwan. They could no longer compete with the cheap Chinese ceramics.

Following the rise of Communist China, the transportation across Taiwan Strait was blocked. Bowls and dishes were shortage in supply seriously. It then led to a production niche of bowl and dish production in Taiwan. In Yingge, within a single year of 1951, the kiln number increased from more than 20 ones to more than 40 ones. Almost all the newly increased ones engaged in bowl and dish manufacturing.

Bowls from Mainland China, Japan, and Taiwan
Bowls from Mainland China and Japan were imported to Taiwan, and it made influence on making Yingge’s bowls and plates.
Collection of Yingge Ceramics Museum/ Provided by Hocheng Cooperation