Japanese Kutani Blue and White Soba Choko Cups with Qilin, Set of 5

Story

Crafted in Ishikawa Prefecture around the turn of the 20th century, these cups carry a prestigious but apocryphal Chinese Ming Dynasty Chenghua mark alongside a red Kutani signature. This playful nod to the past was a mark of high-quality Japanese export and domestic taste.

Maker / Origin

The Kutani region of Japan is legendary for its bold, colorful glazes and dramatic porcelain painting traditions dating back to the 17th century. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kutani workshops excelled at blending traditional underglaze blue-and-white techniques with delicate overglaze iron-red detailing to satisfy a booming global and domestic market.

Condition & Value

The porcelain appears to be in good antique condition overall with minor glaze imperfections and light rim wear consistent with age. One cup shows a tiny glaze flake or minor roughness on the rim, which is common for utilitarian ware of this era and reduces the set's value only slightly.