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Rare Japanese Oborisoma Ware (Soma Yaki) Small 2.5" Tea/coffee Cup with Saucer

$ 6.33

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Culture: Japanese
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Material: Earthenware
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • Signed: Haruyama Kiln
  • Condition: Very good condition. No damages. Please see pictures.
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Style: Soma Yaki
  • Item must be returned within: 30 Days
  • Craft Type: Pottery
  • Region: Fukushima
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back

    Description

    It's a rare find: Soma-yaki small Western style tea/coffee cup with a handle and saucer.
    Cup : 2.5" height and 3" diameter
    Saucer: 5.5" diameter.
    Clues: Pottery Mark on bottom of cup read
    春山 (i.e, Haruyama Kiln) 相馬 (i.e., Soma style)
    Background:
    ÅŒborisÅma ware (大堀相馬焼), also known as ÅŒbori ware (大堀焼) or SÅma ware (相馬焼) is a form of Japanese pottery traditionally from the HamadÅri area of Fukushima Prefecture, in the TÅhoku region of Japan.
    History
    The production of ÅŒborisÅma ware began during the Genroku era (1688-1704) when suitable clays were found in what is now the town of Namie, Fukushima, which was used to make everyday utility items. Although the pottery came to the attention of the daimyÅ of SÅma Nakamura Domain, who encouraged production and lent the SÅma clan crest to choice examples, the pottery remained largely for common usage, and by the end of the Edo period there were over 100 kilns in the area. However, production rapidly declined after the Meiji restoration with the industrialisation of Japan and the increasing prevalence of mass produced pottery for everyday use. Production was only revived after the end of World War II and in 1978, ÅŒborisÅma ware was designated as one of the national objects of traditional craftsmanship.
    The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in March 2011 severely affected this industry, as the village, located only 10 km away from the nuclear powerplants, was heavily polluted by radioactive material, and all craftsmen had to leave their workshops. A new workshop opened at Nihonmatsu, Fukushima; however, the traditional sources of clay and ceramic glaze are within the Fukushima exclusion zone and are now inaccessible.