Old Imari Soba Cups, Yunomi (Teacups) - Set of 6

Set of 6 Old Imari Soba Choko (Yunomi) cups.

They are in beautiful condition with no chips or cracks from use, and can be used daily without any problems.

Diameter: 8 cm
Height: 6 cm

AI Description:
These are **Soba Choko (cups) of Old Imari (Hizen porcelain) made in the late Edo period (late 18th to early 19th century)**.

1. Points for Dating (Late Edo Period)
Soba Choko from this era were mass-produced as vessels for commoners, characterized by their craftsman-like yet somewhat bold and rhythmic painted designs.

? Bottom (Absence of Janome indentation, construction of the foot)
Looking at the photos of the underside, the foot is roughly trimmed, and the exposed clay is visible on the tatami-me (the part that touches the ground). Compared to the precise craftsmanship of the mid-Edo period, the late period saw a simpler, thicker construction suitable for mass production.

? Scalloped Rim (Rinka)
The rim is shaped with a wavy edge, known as Rinka (or kirikomi). This style was very popular in the late Edo period (especially around the Bunka and Bunsei eras).

2. Origin (Type of Pottery)
These are **Imari ware (Old Imari) fired in the Arita area of Saga Prefecture**.
At that time, porcelain from Hizen (Saga and Nagasaki) primarily featured underglaze blue (sometsuke) designs painted with gosu, a blue pigment derived from plants and minerals, on a white porcelain base.
The slightly grayish or creamy hue of the warm white porcelain is also a characteristic texture of Old Imari.

3. Design Details
? Exterior: Konnyaku-de style waves and geometric patterns
These fine, meandering lines depicting wave-like or plant-like motifs are close to designs commonly called Konnyaku-de, a variation of Tako Karakusa (octopus arabesque), or Namishima-mon (wave stripe pattern). Each brushstroke is free and lively, creating an engaging and charming design.

? Interior Bottom (Mikomi): Five-petal flower or spiral pattern
The design visible at the bottom when looking into the cup (mikomi) is a five-petal design, resembling a spinning pinwheel or flower. This is a subtle and stylish playful touch from the Edo period, revealed as one finishes their tea or broth.

A set of 6 cups with consistent shapes is quite rare today. They have a good depth and the comfortable texture of the scalloped rim, making them perfect not only as teacups but also as small bowls for serving dressed dishes. These are wonderful antiques that would be highly useful in a modern dining setting.