Obori Soma-Yaki Set, Japanese Blue Crackle Celadon Vase and 3 Running Horse Teacups, Fukushima Traditional Craft

BLUE CRACKLE, A RUNNING HORSE AND A SOUND LIKE ICE

Hold a teacup from this set up to the light and a web of fine cracks spreads across the pale blue-green glaze. Look inside, and at the bottom a dark horse gallops to the left, painted by hand. This is Obori Soma-yaki (大堀相馬焼), the traditional pottery of Namie in Fukushima Prefecture, famous for three signatures: blue crackle glaze, a running horse, and double-walled construction. This set brings together a squat round vase and three teacups with gold-trimmed rims.

WHAT'S IN THE SET
• 1 round, squat vessel with a short, narrow neck (vase / jar), crackled grey-blue celadon glaze with white-blue splashes
• 3 teacups, each with crackled celadon glaze, ochre-gold and black glaze bands outside, gold-trimmed rim, and a hand-painted running horse inside
• [Confirm count and whether the cups are double-walled]

QUICK FACTS
• Ware: Obori Soma-yaki (大堀相馬焼) / Soma ware (相馬焼), Namie, Fukushima [kiln unconfirmed]
• Glaze: blue crackle celadon (青ひび, aohibi) with gold-trimmed rims
• Decoration: hand-painted left-facing running horse (走り駒, hashiri-koma) inside each cup
• Construction: [double-walled (二重焼) if confirmed / single-walled]
• Marks: [describe kiln marks on each base]

THE THREE SIGNATURES OF SOMA WARE
1. AOHIBI (青ひび), BLUE CRACKLE. When the fired piece leaves the kiln, the glaze and clay shrink at different rates, and the glaze cracks with a soft ringing sound called kannyū-on. The pattern of fine cracks that spreads over the piece is the aohibi. The sound has been chosen as one of Fukushima's "30 sounds".
2. HASHIRI-KOMA (走り駒), THE RUNNING HORSE. The horse always faces left (左馬), because there is "no one to the right of it", meaning no one surpasses it. It represents the sacred horse of the Soma domain, and the Japan Patent Office describes it as painted in the manner of the Kanō school.
3. NIJŪYAKI (二重焼), DOUBLE-WALLED CONSTRUCTION. Two vessels of different sizes are stacked and fired together, so heat does not pass through the wall, a hot drink can be held comfortably, and cold drinks do not sweat. [Include only if confirmed for these cups.]

A SHORT HISTORY
Soma ware began around 1690 in the Genroku era and was protected by the Soma domain. It grew into the largest pottery district in the Tōhoku region, and its techniques spread to Mashiko and Kasama. In 1978 it was designated a national Traditional Craft of Japan. After the 2011 earthquake, the kilns of the Obori district had to relocate, and kilns that survived continue the craft today.

DISPLAY AND USE
Sold as a collectible set. The glaze composition has not been tested, so we do not recommend using it for food or drink unless you have it tested. Crackled glaze can take on stains over time. Hand wash gently, avoid soaking and dishwashers, and dry double-walled pieces rim-up to prevent water from collecting between the walls.

CONDITION AND AUTHENTICITY
Sold as an Obori Soma-yaki style set, [kiln confirmed / unconfirmed]. The glaze crackle, horse brushwork and gold trim vary slightly from piece to piece. Please review all photos and ask any question before buying.

SHIPPING
Each piece is wrapped separately and double-boxed with foam and paper cushioning. Ships worldwide with tracking. Duties and taxes may apply on arrival.