“The fire billowing smoke
Fires ten celadon wine cups
There is one cup above others
A glow in jade green
Tempered through many a searing flame
Unblemished as crystal
Enduring as rock I see now the crafter’s skill
Is touched with the heavenly gift.”
- Yi Gyu-Bo
So said Yi Gyu-bo (1168-1241), a renowned literary servant and scholar from the Goryeo Dynasty, when he praised the beauty of Goryeo celadon in one of his writings. Goryeo celadon seems to hold a mysterious beauty thanks to its iconic jade green color and its perfectly balanced shape.