Soba Choko

Soba choko are small deep bowls used for dipping buckwheat noodles in sauce since the Edo period. Originally they were used for dishes in a formal meal to hold some little delicacy called muko-zuke. Soba choko were made in many areas of Japan but nowhere so prevelently as in the Hizen province of what is now Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. They are usually referred to as Imari as a general term. Soba choko can be blue and white, or multi colored. Certain shapes any styles were made at certain times. Many have a janome kodai or “snake’s eye foot”. The foot is usually unglazed or sometimes just the eye is glazed. The “eyes” are larger during the Edo period. The Soba choko of the Meiji period generally have smaller eyes. Many do not have the snake’s eye foot, so we must look at other factors for dating.

From my collection

                                                Meiji period soba choko with small janome kodai

Meiji period iro-e with sho-chiku-bai or pine, bamboo and plum motif

Although these meiji period cups are likely muko-zuke they are a similar size and have the same kind of center (mikomi) decoration.

I visited the Gallery at Vanderbilt.
From the Herman D. Doochin Collection at Vanderbilt University

A Milestone!

Ko-Dakeo/Old Takeo Yaki

KODAKEO or old Takeo pottery is from the Edo Period of Saga Prefecture. It is closely related to Karatsu pottery.
When I saw some of these wares for the first time I thought “ Oh my heart, I’m in love,” As many of you know certain styles, or pieces will call to you....they almost seem to belong to you, are somehow a part of you....and if you are lucky, you can afford to get one! ;)

Kyushu Ceramics Museum

Kyushu Ceramics Museum

http://www.japanpotterynet.com/en/user_data/ceramics066.php

https://www.kyuhaku.jp/exhibition/exhibition_pre100.html

https://saga-museum.jp/ceramic/exhibition/limited/2018/09/001963.html

http://www.japanpotterynet.com/en/user_data/ceramics066.php

http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/kantei/kaiun_db/otakara/20160216/07.html

IWAMI YAKI- Ceramics of Shimane Prefecture

Pickling or Miso Jar




Some examples

https://search.rakuten.co.jp/search/mall/石見焼/
https://kogeijapan.com/locale/en_US/iwamiyaki/

Daishoji Imari

https://www.kutani.org/spip.php?newsletter3

https://www.kutani.org/

19th century small bowl in the "Kikka" (菊花) chrysanthemum motif. Kikkagata zara-chrysanthemum shaped plate. The flowers have 16 petals both in the outer shape as well as in the center.  The back mark is a Chinese mark used on Japanese wares from the mid Edo period. 奇玉宝鼎之珍(In Japanese would read: ki gyuoku hou tei no chin)

Japanese Living National Treasures in Ceramics

Japanese Living National Treasures in Ceramics

1955

Arakawa Toyozo-Shino

Hamada Shoji-Mingei (folk pottery)

Ishiguro Munemaru-Iron glazes

Tomimoto Kenichi- Overglaze enamels

1956

Kaneshige Toyo-Bizen

1961

Kato Hajime-Overglaze enamel

1970

Fujiwara Kei-Bizen

Miwa Kyuwa(Kysetsu 10)-Hagi

1976

Nakazato Muan-Karatsu

1977

Kondo  Yuzo-Underglaze blue cobalt

1983

Tsukamoto Kaiji-Hakuji

Miwa Kyusetsu (11)-Hagi

1985

Shimizu Uichi-Iron glaze

Kinjo Jiro-Yachimun (Okinawa)

1986

Tamara Koichi-Iron design

Fujimoto  Yoshimichi- Overglaze enamel

1987  

Yamamoto Toshu-Bizen

1989

Imaizumi Imaemon (13)- Overglaze enamel

1993

Matsui Kosei-Neriage

1994

Suzuki Osamu-Shino

1995

Kato Takuo-Sansai

Inoue Manji-Hakuji

1996

Fujiwara Yu-Bizen

Shimaoka Tatsuzo-Mingei (Jomon zogan rope inlay)

1997

Miura Koheiji-Seiji

Tokuda Yasokichi- (3)- Kutani Saiyu Jiki

1998

Yamada Jozan (3)-Tokoname (tea pots)

2001

Sakaida Kakiemon (14)- Overglaze enamel

Yoshida Minori-underglaze gold decoration

2003

Ito Sekisui (5)-Mumyoi 

2004

Isezaki Jun-Bizen

2005

Hara Kiyoshi-Iron glaze

2010 

Kato Kozo-Seto guro

2013

Maeta Akihiro-Hakuji

2017
Fukushima Zenzo-Koishiwara 

Toyo Toki Kokura Japan

Toyo Toki Kokura Japan

The logo OCW refers to Oriental Ceramic Works, a precursor to Toto, known for its washlet toilets and Toyotoki Kaisha. Toyo Toki Kaisha was an affiliate of the Morimura bros is now known as Noritake. 

See: http://morimura.co.jp/english/history/ , under 1917.

See: https://jp.toto.com/en/company/profile/outline/history/index.htm

Suzuki porcelain

The "roof" over the katakana su ス, refers to house of Suzuki used by the Suzuki Company 

Japanese ceramic suiteki (water droppers for calligraphy)

Suiteki come in a multitude of styles, shapes and sizes. 

Kayson's Import Corp.

Kayson's Fine China Japan, Golden Rhapsody, c. 1961