Miya Company Blue & White Soup Spoon Set

What’s the story behind the popular blue and white color scheme of much of Japan’s pottery?

Although blue and white was a sought-after color scheme everywhere from China to Holland, Japan wasn’t able to produce it themselves until the early 17th century when suitable clay for porcelain—which offers the stark white background—was found in Arita in the Hizen province by Korean potters who immigrated to the country. The style of these first pieces is known as early Imari and they typically feature free-flowing strokes of cobalt blue on a bright white surface.