An Inban ware Sake Cup: Stenciled Image

late nineteenth century
2 1/4" x 2 1/2", 5.5 cm x 6.5 cm

Inban ware is a type of every day ceramic from old Japan that uses hand cut stencils to guide its design on to its surface: the stencils used for this purpose are very similar to those used in the katazome dyeing process, which makes Inban ware an interesting counterpart to folk textiles.

Inban ware was only produced for a narrow window of time, roughly from around 1878 to 1898.

Shown here is a small sake cup with a charmingly lighthearted design of stylized chrysanthemums.

The design is almost childlike in its directness and the tiny cup will certainly add to your experience of sake sipping.

There is a flaw to the cup's foot which seems to have happened before it was fired.

A very attractive example of Inban ware.