A 19th Century Porcelain Sobachoko: Hand Painted Soba Dipping Cup

late nineteenth century
2 1/4" x 2 1/2" diameter, 5.5 cm x 6.4 cm diameter

This hand decorated porcelain cup is called a soba choko because it was originally manufactured as an accessory for eating soba noodles. It held a quantity of a savory sauce or tsuyu into which soba noodles would be dipped before being slurped and eaten.

Soba choko were mass produced and hand painted.

This one shows a simply rendered koshi or plaid pattern. In Japan there is some thinking that plaid patterns are related to, or are the outgrowth of, architectural inspiration: element such as shoji screens, perpendicular frame construction and other details of traditional architecture are cited as influential in the development of plaid patterns.

The condition is good; there are no chips or fissures.

This is a handsome example of an Edo period soba choko and it is one that can be used to enjoy tea or any other drink you enjoy.