Antique Japanese Late Edo Period Blue & White Porcelain Sobachoko Cup Landscape Design

Late Edo Period Japanese Blue and White Porcelain Sobachoko Cup with Landscape Design, circa 1850s
Japan, mid-19th century
Height: approximately 2.75 inches

A finely hand-painted blue and white porcelain sobachoko (蕎麦猪口) dating to the late Edo period, around the 1850s. This elegant cylindrical cup features an expressive underglaze cobalt landscape scene, with a thatched riverside pavilion nestled among stylized bamboo and trees, rendered in fluid, spontaneous brushwork characteristic of mid-19th-century folk porcelain.

The glaze is a soft bluish-white with subtle translucence, while the rim displays the warm iron-brown edge (fuchi-beni, 縁紅) typical of Edo-era daily wares. Inside the cup, a small painted brushmark motif, likely an auspicious symbol or potter’s flourish, decorates the well—an intimate detail appreciated during use.

The unglazed foot shows circular wheel marks and a natural clay tone with minor kiln grit, confirming hand-thrown construction. The form and painterly decoration place this work among the popular sobachoko made in regional kilns such as Arita or Imari, which supplied both domestic households and export markets in the mid-19th century.

Condition: Excellent antique condition for age, with light surface wear, glaze speckling, and natural firing imperfections. No cracks or restorations noted.

A charming and authentic Edo-period sobachoko, embodying the understated beauty and utility of Japan’s blue-and-white porcelain tradition—equally appealing to collectors and tea enthusiasts alike.