Tobe ware

{{Short description|Type of Japanese porcelain}}

File:Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum (56).jpg and squirrel design, blue underglaze. Edo period, 19th century]]

{{nihongo|Tobe ware|砥部焼|Tobe-yaki}} is a type of Japanese porcelain traditionally from Tobe, Ehime, western Japan. It is of the {{nihongo||染付|sometsuke}} blue and white pottery type.

The ware started making its appearance when Katō Yasutoki, 9th lord of the Ōzu Domain (1769–1787), started hiring potters from Hizen. Production of white porcelain (hakuji) commenced in An'ei 6 (1777).{{Cite web|url=http://www.pref.aichi.jp/touji/collection/08/collection/68.html|title=江戸時代｜コレクション｜愛知県陶磁美術館 公式サイト}}

In 1976 it was officially designated by the government as a traditional crafts.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tobe-kanko.jp/en/product/tobeyaki/history.html|title=History of Tobe-yaki ware｜Tobe-yaki｜Local specialties | Tobe Town Tourism Association}}{{Cite web|url=http://japan-brand.jnto.go.jp/crafts/ceramics-crafts/78/|title = Tobe Ware | Authentic Japanese product}}

The products are characterized by a slightly thick, rugged base and fine brush strokes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pref.aichi.jp/touji/collection/08/collection/68.html|title=江戸時代｜コレクション｜愛知県陶磁美術館 公式サイト}}https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/tv/markofbeauty/201706120600/ {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}