The soba choco, whose trapezoidal shape has gone unchanged in the 400 years since its invention, traces its origins to Hizen (present-day Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures), which is home to the port of Imari, from which Imari porcelain spread throughout Japan.
Contrary to its name, the soba choco was never intended for soba. It was originally used as a small bowl to hold side dishes such as sashimi, salads, and shiokara preserve at celebrations and kaiseki meals. It wasn’t until the Edo period that soba become popular among the general public. People would often use their soba choco to indulge in a quick aperitif called sobamae before filling it with dipping sauce for soba, a tradition that soon caught on across Japan. Huge numbers of designs were created, reflecting the trends and culture of the eras in which they were made.
Baba Shoten fires its ceramics in the town of Hasami, Nagasaki, a cradle of porcelain manufacturing in Japan. We deliver a wide variety of soba choco that utilize a rich history of techniques unique to the Hasami area. Culture and craftsmanship in every cup.