Sometsuke Japanese blue and white

#SOMETSUKE #japaneseceramics

The Japanese like other Asian nations started doing blue and white ware as soon as they could source a good white stone ware clay and the the cobalt ore for blue slip.

While the Japanese do copy some Chinese motifs they also attend to have a greater use of geometric or textile inspired patterns probably influenced by the experimentation with mixing weaving tiedyeing handpainting and embroidery you see on many Noh and Kabuki costumes and the kimono of the wealthier merchants and aristocrats. Bear in mind most people had to wear ramie hemp or cotton or a much rougher  lower grade "raw" silk.

My first example is "Old" KO Imari. Its very similar to Chinese ceramics and yet  the same kilns were also producing the first Japanese polychrome wares.

This is from the Seto kilns Note the box shape probably influenced by lacquer ware and the beautiful composition.