The exhibition includes 350 intact celadon wares, which have been carefully selected from collections in Korea and abroad for their quality and significance. This unprecedented exhibition of celadon masterpieces is the largest of its kind in history, bringing together 29 of Korea’s designated cultural heritage items (18 National Treasures and 11 Treasures) and two of Japan’s designated important cultural assets.

The title of the exhibition comes from the book Su Jung Geum by the Song Dynasty writer Taepyeong Noin, who listed the “luminous jade-green color of Goryeo celadon” as one of the “best [things] under heaven.” This reference proves that Goryeo celadon was internationally acclaimed in its day, even surpassing the ceramics of the Song Dynasty. Also, after visiting Goryeo as a Song envoy, Suh Geung (1091-1153) recorded in his book Sun Hwa Bong Sa Goryeo Dogyung that “Goryeo people refer to the bluish color of the celadon as luminous and mysterious,” again demonstrating the exemplary quality and beauty of Goryeo celadon.

Rather than simply presenting the items in chronological order, the exhibition was organized in four parts to effectively and comprehensively explicate Goryeo celadon, in terms of its history, uses, inlaid technique, and masterpieces. This arrangement allows visitors to selectively view and appreciate each section from a different perspective. Also, the exhibition was carefully designed to allow visitors to enjoy the unique characteristics of celadon in three dimensions, rather than in a simple line-up.

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