In Korea, we use the names ‘Honam’ or ‘Jeolla-do’ to refer to the combined area of the two provinces known as Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do.

Compared to other areas, the Honam area - which includes Buan in Jeollabuk-do and Gangjin in Jeollanam-do - is famous for producing beautiful pottery of outstanding quality. Because the people of Goryeo mainly used sea routes to transport goods, the southwest coastline of the province was the ideal location to produce celadon wares and other potteries and then transport them to Gaegyeong, the capital of Goryeo. Another reason why Goryeo celadon was manufactured in large quantities in Buan was that the area had an abundant supply of firewood (pine trees), which was needed for baking the pottery. Therefore, convenient transportation by sea and the abundance of trees were the most important conditions for the mass production of Goryeo celadons.