Obori-soma ware is a form of porcelain produced around the town of Namie in Fukushima prefecture. This craft uses blue porcelain enamel which is made from locally collected grindstone.
The distinctive feature of Obori-soma ware is its pattern of blue fissures. On a glassy surface of celadon porcelain glaze, these blue cracks cover the entire piece.

A difference in the shrinkage rate between the raw materials and enamel causes cracks to occur when baking. At that time, a beautiful cracking sound can be heard.

Then, pictures that depict the sacred horses revered by the former Soma domain are hand-drawn on the pottery.

The craft is double-fired, so the inner layer of Obori-soma ware insulates hot liquids for a long time, while the outer shell prevents anyone from burning their hands. This double-firing technique is not seen in any other type of porcelain and is performed with user-friendliness of the product in mind.

From private collection