Sometsuke is a type of blue-and-white porcelain-ware that was produced during the early 17th century at privately owned kilns in Jingdezhen, a town in Jiangxi Province, China. Ko-sometsuke, the prefix "ko" meaning "old," is the Japanese name for sometsuke imported from China to Japan.
Though sometsuke was not made using high-quality clay or glazes, the free-spirited decorations and designs made it popular in Japan. They were particularly sought after by tea-ceremony masters to be used as utensils. On show are 23 ko-sometsuke wares; Aug. 2-28.
The Museum of Oriental Ceramics, Osaka; (06) 6223-0055; 1-1-26 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi; near Naniwabashi Station, Keihan Nakanoshima Line, or a 5-min. walk from Yodoyabashi Station, Midosuji Line. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ¥500. Closed Mon. www.moco.or.jp.
