In the West, Korea has often been thought of as little more than a cultural bridge between China and Japan. Yet whilst historically China has exerted a strong influence on Korean culture, much of this influence has been modified by a quite distinctive Korean aesthetic sensibility which has its origins in Korean history and the natural environment.The Choson Dynasty (1392 to 1910) was characterised by a distinctive form of Neo-Confucianism which, in its mystical cosmology, had a strong aesthetic import. Its philosophy, based on the five elements, the complementary opposites Yin and Yang and the Supreme Ultimate, gave rise to the aesthetic principle of 'absolute purity' exemplified by the white porcelain or paekcha of this era. Earth, Spirit, Fire highlights the extraordinary creativity of artists during one of the greatest periods of cultural activity and development in Korea's entire history. It is a culture about which the West still knows surprisingly little even though it has exerted significant influence on international artistic practice, particularly in the area of ceramics.This publication brings together fine examples of Korean ceramics, painting, calligraphy and furniture drawn from the National Museum of Korea, the Ho-Am Art Museum and a small number of Korean private collectors.