Japanese Sometsuke Blue & White Mug with Cat & Floral Motif – Seto Ware, Singama Kiln

Handcrafted from Setoyaki porcelain at Shingama Kiln (眞窯) in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, this charming sometsuke mug features a playful cat peeking out from behind delicately painted flowers. Rendered in rich indigo on a pure white porcelain body, the design combines lighthearted warmth with the refined elegance of traditional Japanese blue-and-white ware. 

Founded in 1919, Shingama Kiln has specialized for over a century in sometsuke ceramics, decorating porcelain with gosu (a cobalt-based pigment) and iron oxide. Today, its artisans continue to uphold this long-standing tradition, creating works that blend classical techniques with approachable, contemporary motifs.

Sometsuke is a traditional method in which designs are hand-painted with gosu on white porcelain, then coated with a clear glaze and fired at high temperature. The resulting indigo tones vary subtly depending on the clay, glaze, and firing conditions, ensuring that each piece is unique. A defining feature of this style is the dami technique, where pigment is applied with a generously loaded brush to create depth and nuanced gradations of blue—an effect that requires years of experience and refined skill.

In 1997, Seto Sometsuke-yaki was officially designated a Traditional Craft of Japan by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, recognized for its delicate forms and expressive brushwork.

Blending the gentle humor of a cat motif with the timeless beauty of floral design, this mug brings a sense of quiet joy and elegance to everyday moments. Ideal for daily use or as a thoughtful gift, it is especially appealing to lovers of Japanese ceramics and cat enthusiasts alike.