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Matsunaga Soma mug with a running horse on grey-green crackle glaze, a loop handle and heart-shaped openings near the base.
  • Matsunaga Soma mug with a running horse on grey-green crackle glaze, a loop handle and heart-shaped openings near the base.
  • Close-up of the Soma mug’s recessed base with a circular opening, pale foot ring and heart-shaped cutouts above.
  • Close-up of the Soma mug’s running horse on grey-green crackle glaze above the dark lower band.
  • Angled close-up of the Soma mug’s heart-shaped openings, swirling brown-green glaze and curved handle.
  • Hand holding the Soma mug by its loop handle, showing the running horse, heart-shaped openings and crackled interior.
  • Rear view of the Soma mug with its handle on the left, showing plain crackle glaze and heart-shaped openings near the base.
Soma Ware Double Walled Mug, 150ml

Soma Ware Double Walled Mug, 150ml

Handmade New
£38.00
Taxes included.

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Delivery from £3.50
Details

Material: Ceramic
Obori Soma-大堀相馬焼

Dimensions:
Width: 8.4cm
Height: 8.8cm
Volume: 150ml

Care instructions

Dishwasher and microwave safe.

Soak a new piece in hot water before its first use; this lets the porous body take up moisture evenly and makes tea or coffee stains far less likely to catch in the fine crackle later on. Wash as normal, then tip the mug rim upward so any water trapped in the double wall drains fully from the small hole in the base, and let it dry completely before putting it away.

Special

At a glance

• The left-facing running horse carries a 300-year good fortune meaning: “nothing surpasses it”
• Hollow double wall reduces heat felt in the hand and helps hot drinks stay warm longer
• Fine blue crackle and openings near the base reveal the traditional construction of the mug

The horse on this mug carries more meaning than its simple brushwork first suggests.

Known as hashirigoma, the running horse is traditionally painted facing left. Its direction connects with a Japanese expression meaning “there is no one to its right”, in other words, nothing surpasses it. Over generations, this made the horse a good fortune motif associated with milestones such as a new home or new business.

The mug also carries an old Soma Ware technique with a practical purpose. Its inner and outer walls create a hollow space between them, reducing how much heat reaches your hand while helping the drink cool more slowly.

Openings near the base reveal that hollow construction rather than hiding it. Across the green glaze, fine aohibi blue crackling adds another distinctive feature of Obori Soma Ware, forming as the ceramic body and glaze contract differently during cooling.

Together, the running horse, blue crackle and double wall bring symbolism, visible craft and everyday function into the same compact mug.

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