What is Sometsuke?

Sometsuke is a traditional porcelain decorating technique that originated in China and later spread throughout Asia and Europe. Using a cobalt-based pigment, artisans paint designs onto a bisque-fired, unglazed porcelain surface, then apply a clear glaze and fire the piece at high temperatures to bring out its vivid blue finish.

Japanese sometsuke tableware is especially loved by fans of Japanese ceramics—not only for its clean, striking beauty but also for the way it naturally complements Japanese cuisine.

In this article, we explore the many expressions of sometsuke—from soft washes and delicate details to bold brushwork and deep indigo tones.

History of Sometsuke

For centuries, producing porcelain domestically remained an ambition in Japan. That ambition began to take form in the early 17th century, when Korean potter Le Sanpei (Yi Sam-pyeong) discovered porcelain stone in the hills of Izumiyama, in what is now Saga Prefecture. This discovery marked the beginning of Japan’s porcelain tradition. Le Sanpei helped establish the foundation for Arita ware, which would later be exported from the nearby port of Imari, giving rise to the name Imari ware.

Sometsuke became established in Japan around this time. It was initially modeled after Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, particularly the styles developed in Jingdezhen during the late Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368 CE). Before reaching Japan, the technique had also spread to the Korean peninsula during the early Joseon Dynasty (14th–19th century).

In its early Japanese form, sometsuke closely imitated Chinese designs, often covering the entire surface with intricate decoration. Over time, however, Japanese artisans began to favor a more restrained aesthetic, leaving areas of white porcelain exposed and often featuring floral motifs. Using the cobalt pigment gosu, artisans developed a wide range of expressions—from delicate shading and soft washes to bold brushwork and deep blue tones.

As porcelain became more widely used in everyday life, especially during the Edo period (1603–1868 CE), sometsuke patterns grew simpler and more practical. Geometric motifs and repeated brushwork became common, offering a modest beauty suited to both daily meals and formal settings.

Though the pigments and styles have evolved, especially with the introduction of chemical cobalt from Europe in the Meiji era (1868–1912 CE), the essence of sometsuke remains unchanged. Its vivid blue continues to stand out against white porcelain and stoneware, a timeless expression of Japanese craftsmanship and aesthetic sensibility.

Gosu: The Blue of Sometsuke

At the heart of sometsuke is gosu, the cobalt-based pigment behind its distinctive blue tones. Applied to a bisque-fired ceramic body beneath a transparent glaze, gosu creates the vivid blue-on-white contrast that defines sometsuke.

Traditionally, gosu was made from natural cobalt-bearing minerals. Today, however, natural gosu has become increasingly difficult to obtain, and many kilns use synthetic gosu. Made primarily from cobalt oxide, it is often also mixed with the same elements found in natural gosu, such as manganese and iron.

The composition of gosu greatly influences the final appearance of a piece. Variations in the pigment, along with the firing conditions, can create a wide range of expressions—from soft, smoky blues to deep indigo tones and vivid cobalt hues. This remarkable breadth of blue remains one of the enduring appeals of sometsuke.

The Different Expressions of Sometsuke

Though united by its blue-and-white palette, sometsuke takes many forms. Painterly washes, delicate detailing, expressive lines, and historic motifs each create distinct impressions within the tradition.

These expressions are further shaped by the approaches of different kilns and makers. Even within the same technique, variations in brushwork, composition, and atmosphere reveal unique interpretations of sometsuke.

In this section, we explore sometsuke through its techniques, visual characteristics, and the works of various makers.

Painterly Washes

Soft gradations and flowing brushwork are among the most decorative aspects of sometsuke. Rather than relying on crisp outlines, these works create atmosphere through layered applications of gosu, allowing subtle shifts of blue to emerge across the surface.

One of the key tools behind these expressions is the dami brush. With its long, flexible bristles capable of holding generous amounts of pigment, the brush is especially suited to broad washes, delicate gradations, and fluid transitions of tone. Variations in the density of gosu create depth ranging from pale, mist-like blues to rich indigo accents.

SINGAMA (Blue Flower Series) - Seto Ware

The Blue Flower series by SINGAMA explores the softness of sometsuke through flowing floral motifs and layered washes. The gentle transitions of blue lend the pieces an airy presence while preserving the movement of the brush.

Kakusho Kiln - Mikawachi Ware

Kakusho Kiln is renowned for its refined shading techniques and delicate gradations of blue. By allowing gosu to softly spread across the surface, the kiln creates painterly expressions with remarkable depth and serenity.

Delicate Details

Intricate linework and carefully rendered motifs reveal another expression of sometsuke. Fine details bring texture, movement, and depth to the surface while preserving the clarity of blue and white.

These works rely on controlled lines and intricate decoration. Fine details allow motifs to unfold gradually, inviting closer observation.

Takayama - Hasami Ware

Takayama brings delicate motifs of plants, animals, and the four seasons to life. The precision of each line made by combining pad printing and hand-painting creates a richness of detail while maintaining a light and balanced impression.

Midou Kiln - Hasami Ware

Through pad printing techniques, finely repeated motifs and patterns are spread across the surfaces of pieces by Midou Kiln. The precise lines create a rhythmic movement while preserving the softness and clarity of sometsuke.

Expressive Lines Within Simplicity

In some forms of sometsuke, the line itself becomes the primary means of expression.

Repeated strokes, geometric compositions, and flowing motifs create movement and rhythm while preserving the clarity of blue and white. Though often simple in appearance, these patterns reveal subtle variations born from the hand of the artisan.

SINGAMA (Blue Line Series) - Seto Ware

The Blue Line series by SINGAMA explores the artful potential of hand-painted lines through symmetry, geometric motifs, and designs inspired by leaves and veins. Delicate linework spreads across the surface, revealing how minimal blue accents can shape the composition.

Fukuhou Kiln - Hasami Ware

At Fukuhou Kiln, a specialized three-tipped brush is used to draw slender lines to form tokusa “horsetail” motifs.

While still composed of thin blue lines, the densely layered pattern creates a far more immersive visual effect.

Bold Brushwork

Broad strokes and freely painted motifs reveal another side of blue-and-white porcelain. Here, the movement of the brush remains visible, creating forms with openness and momentum across the white surface.

These works rely on sweeping gestures and the contrast between rich blue pigment and open white space. A single stroke can shape the atmosphere of an entire piece.

Baizan Kiln - Tobe Ware

The flowing arabesque is the signature motif at Baizan Kiln. Continuous strokes preserve the movement and spontaneity of the hand. The thick, softly bluish porcelain characteristic of Tobe ware lends the bold blue-and-white patterns a grounded presence and gentle warmth.

Shades of Indigo

Though united by a single color family, sometsuke encompasses a remarkable range of shades of blue. Variations in the mineral make-up of gosu, its concentration, and the way it is applied can create tones from pale washes to rich indigo.

These deeper blues lend a different character, bringing depth and contrast while preserving the clarity of white porcelain.

Choemon Kiln - Kutani Ware

Choemon Kiln is known for its rich indigo sometsuke and use of deep blue. Expressive brushwork creates contrasts, giving the designs a strong presence while remaining rooted in traditional Kutani aesthetics.

Tosen Kiln - Kyo Ware

Rendered in various shades of blue, these pieces reveal gentle variations in tone across the surface.

Unlike the porcelain traditionally associated with blue-and-white ware, the stoneware pieces of Tosen Kiln offer a different character to the palette. The softer texture and creamy color of the material lend the blue decoration a more grounded presence.

Echoes of Early Imari

The earliest forms of sometsuke were deeply influenced by Chinese blue-and-white porcelain, often featuring intricate decoration that covered the surface. Among these early expressions, ko-Imari developed a distinctive character through its restrained palette and nature-inspired motifs.

These works carry a quieter, more traditional atmosphere, offering a glimpse into the origins of sometsuke.

Le Sanpei Kiln - Arita Ware

As the kiln associated with the beginnings of Japanese porcelain, Le Sanpei Kiln preserves the spirit of early Imari through understated designs and classic motifs. The Moon Rabbit Round Side Plate reflects this connection to the origins of Arita porcelain. The fukizumi technique, in which pigment is blown, splattered, or sprayed onto a surface, is expressed here through scattered blue speckles, recalling an iconic visual language of early Imari sometsuke.

Watercolor-Like Washi-zome

Washi-zome introduces a softer side through gentle transitions of tone and blurred contours. Rather than emphasizing a crisp contrast, these works evoke the atmosphere of watercolor paintings.

Higashi Kiln - Tobe Ware

Higashi Kiln is known for its washi-zome technique, in which Japanese washi paper is cut into the shape of the desired motif, then dyed with gosu to transfer the pigment to the ceramic surface. This process creates fluid outlines filled with diffused shades resembling watercolor washes.

The method introduces a gentle, airy quality while retaining the blue-and-white character of the tradition. With that, a new style of Tobe ware takes shape, bringing a contemporary atmosphere to a centuries-old technique.

From soft painterly washes and delicate linework to bold brush strokes and historic motifs, sometsuke reveals a remarkable range of expressions within its timeless blue-and-white palette. Each kiln brings its own interpretation through brushwork, composition, and atmosphere.

For centuries, these variations have continued to evolve while preserving the essence of sometsuke: the harmony of blue and white. Whether drawn to subtle gradations, thin lines, or echoes of early Imari, each piece offers a different way to experience this enduring tradition.

Explore our full collection and discover what speaks to you and your table.

This article was originally published on July 7, 2025, and updated on June 23, 2026.