Authentic Japanese Antique Obori Soma-yaki Bowl w/Original Signed Box

Authentic Meiji–Taisho Era Obori Soma-yaki Pottery Bowl

A beautiful and authentic Japanese Obori Soma-yaki (大堀相馬焼) pottery bowl, believed to date from the Meiji to Taisho period, approximately the late 19th to early 20th century.

This elegant small bowl features the distinctive blue crackle glaze, known in Japanese as ao-hibi (青ひび), with a delicate hand-painted blue botanical design across the pale blue-green ceramic surface.

The fine network of natural crackling throughout the glaze is one of the most recognizable characteristics of traditional Obori Soma ware. These fine lines are created through the difference in expansion and contraction between the ceramic body and glaze during firing rather than simply being painted onto the surface.

The bowl has a wonderfully restrained appearance, combining the pale celadon-like glaze, naturally aged crackle pattern and hand-painted blue decoration.

It is accompanied by its original wooden storage box and original fabric/silk cover, which have survived with the piece and add considerable historical and collector interest.

Original Wooden Box

The original wooden storage box is included with the bowl.

The box carries handwritten Japanese inscriptions on the exterior, providing additional historical context and suggesting that the bowl was traditionally stored and preserved as a valued ceramic piece.

The box itself shows substantial age, including natural discoloration, surface wear and marks consistent with long-term storage.

The original wrapping fabric is also retained.

About Obori Soma-yaki

Obori Soma-yaki (大堀相馬焼) is a traditional Japanese pottery associated with Obori in Namie, Fukushima Prefecture.

Its history dates back more than 300 years to the Edo period. The pottery was originally known simply as Soma-yaki, after the Soma domain that governed the region. The name Obori Soma-yaki became widely used later to identify the pottery with its place of origin.

Obori Soma developed several distinctive characteristics that make it particularly recognizable to collectors.

Blue Crackle — Ao-hibi

One of its most famous characteristics is ao-hibi (青ひび), or blue crackle.

The glaze develops a network of fine crackles known as kannyū (貫入). These occur naturally because the ceramic body and glaze have different rates of thermal contraction.

The crackling is therefore part of the firing process and varies naturally from piece to piece.

Interestingly, historical sources indicate that blue crackle became an established characteristic during the late Edo period, while the Meiji and Taisho periods saw further development and refinement of Obori Soma's distinctive style.

The Running Horse Motif

Another famous characteristic of Obori Soma-yaki is the running horse (走り駒 / hashirikoma).

The horse represents the sacred horse associated with the Soma clan and was traditionally painted facing left. It became an important symbol of the pottery and is associated with good fortune and prosperity.

This particular bowl does not appear to have the traditional horse motif; instead, it features a delicate blue botanical decoration, which gives the piece a quieter and more understated character.

Meiji and Taisho Period

The Meiji and Taisho eras were particularly important periods in the development of Obori Soma ware.

After the abolition of the feudal domains during the Meiji Restoration, the pottery industry lost the direct support it had previously received from the Soma domain. Kilns declined in number, but surviving craftsmen responded to increased competition by developing new techniques and distinctive forms.

The famous double-wall construction associated with Obori Soma-yaki is traditionally attributed to a technique developed by Sakamoto Kumajiro around the end of the Meiji period.

This historical development makes surviving early Obori Soma pieces especially interesting to collectors of Japanese ceramics.

Why This Piece Is Special

What makes this example particularly appealing is the combination of:

Meiji–Taisho period character
Traditional Obori Soma-yaki
Distinctive blue crackle glaze
Hand-painted blue botanical decoration
Original wooden storage box
Original fabric/silk protective cover
Handwritten Japanese inscription on the box
Natural age and patina
Traditional Japanese presentation

The original box and wrapping are particularly desirable because they preserve part of the object's history and traditional Japanese storage presentation.

This would make an excellent addition to a collection of Japanese ceramics, Soma-yaki, Meiji-period art, Taisho-period antiques, tea ceremony objects, or traditional Japanese pottery.

Sourced from a Japanese antique auction in Japan.

Condition

Good antique condition considering its age.

The bowl displays authentic signs of age, including natural glaze crackling, minor surface wear, small marks and variations in the glaze and decoration.

The crackle pattern is part of the traditional glaze and should not be considered damage.

There may be minor imperfections from the original handmade production and firing process. The surface has the subtle irregularities and character expected from an antique Japanese ceramic.

The wooden storage box has significant age-related wear, including discoloration, scratches, stains and general surface deterioration. This is consistent with its age and long-term use.

The original fabric/silk cover is also aged and shows discoloration and wear.

Please study all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

I have preserved the piece in its original antique character rather than attempting to make it look new.

Item Details

Item: Japanese pottery bowl
Type: Obori Soma-yaki
Japanese: 大堀相馬焼
Period: Meiji–Taisho era, circa late 19th–early 20th century
Origin: Fukushima, Japan
Material: Japanese ceramic / pottery
Glaze: Blue-green/celadon-style glaze with natural crackle
Decoration: Hand-painted blue botanical motif
Included: Original wooden storage box and fabric/silk cover
Box: Original handwritten Japanese inscription
Provenance: Japanese antique auction
Era: Meiji–Taisho period

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📦 Condition
Please review all photos carefully, as they form part of the item description. Dimensions and additional details are provided in the images.