Korean kilns began to produce white porcelain at the beginning of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) for the emperor’s personal use. In 1425, China’s Ming emperor requested ten sets—more than 200 pieces—of white porcelain as a tribute gift. The Korean government operated official kilns (bunwon) from 1469 until their privatization in 1883. The elegant, understated white porcelain appealed to the Neo-Confucian taste of the day, and became the choice of the Korean Court and the elite. By the 16th century, porcelain’s popularity gave rise to its production at other regional private kilns, where it became available to a broader market.