Two Imari-ware sometsuke (blue and white) sake cups with a bamboo grove and wise men design, dating from the late Edo period, made in Hizen Province (present-day Saga and part of Nagasaki Prefectures). ○ Size: Please allow for some error. Diameter: Approximately 6.7cm, Height: Approximately 4.3cm ○ Aside from the chips on the rim, there are no scratches; the images show reflections of light. ○ There are small chips on the rim (images 4 & 6) that have been repaired; please consider this if you are interested. * "Bamboo Grove and Wise Men" * This is a traditional design originating from a Chinese story, depicting wise men living in seclusion within a bamboo grove. * Such small vessels were used as sencha bowls for enjoying sencha tea, or as nozoki (very small sake cups). * The technique used is called "sometsuke," where blue painting is applied with cobalt oxide (gosu) on white porcelain. * The patterns depicted are figures, animals, and plants (bamboo and what appears to be pine). * This is a characteristic seen in old Imari ware and works from older periods such as those made during the Tianqi era in China, dating back to the late Edo period. ○ No smokers, no pets, and we pay close attention to hygiene.