Sometsuke Sencha Teapot and Cups 1830s

This is a design for a “Sometsuke Sencha Teapot and Cups,” made by Yamada Hōgyoku sometime in the first half of the 19th century. The print gives us some insight into the process and cultural significance that influenced its appearance. The artwork depicts a design for a tea set, made with porcelain decorated with cobalt blue underglaze. This ‘sometsuke’ technique, which involves painting the design directly onto the pottery before firing, highlights the natural qualities of the ceramic material itself, its smoothness, and its ability to take on intricate surface decorations. The print suggests more than the appearance of the final product. The method of production – from the preparation of the clay to the firing of the glaze – and the various skilled traditions of painting and calligraphy, each contribute to the cultural value of the tea set. It reminds us that the beauty and value of everyday objects lie not only in their aesthetic appeal but also in the labor, skill, and cultural practices that bring them into being.