Scarce Set of (5) Tohoku Soba Choko Cups,
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Origin: Tohoku, Japan,Age/Period: ca.1830, Choko Era, Edo Period,Dimensions: 3-1/8"-3-5/16" dia. (mouth rim), 2-1/4"-2-1/2" tall;Scarce Tohoku Blue and White Soba Cups, set of 5 cups, ca.1830. Originated in Kirigome (Kirikomi) or Aizu Hongo, in the Tohoku region of Northern Japan during the Kokei era, ca.1789-1867. Tohoku Soba cups were made only for domestic consumption and not for export. It is popularly, but falsely, believed that these cups were originally used to hold dipping sauces for soba noodles. Actually the purpose these cups were to drink sake from. This is clear from Japanese name, Choko, (originally derived from the Korean word "chonchi/chunga"), which means "small wine cups". Soba cups date to 4 eras: Shoki (ca.1616-1720), Chuki (ca.1721-1788), Koki (ca.1789-1867), Meiji (ca.1868-1912). This set dates to the middle Koki era. Inside each cup is a kiln mark, kama, indicating that these cups did not originate in Imari. The outsides of each cup is painted in a casual/free-form vertical lines with dark and runny underglaze blue pigment. Note the the uneven thickness of the blue which is also characteristic of Japanese blue and white wares. Their contemporaries in China were more consistent in color and not so runny. Four of the five cups have minor rim chips that were repaired during the late Edo period in pure gold (24
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