"Sometsuke" is originally a word from the dyeing and weaving termnology. (In terms of pottery) "Sometsuke" means it is drawn in the under glazed pottery of porcelain with applying bule pigments including the cobalt oxide.
We do not know when it started exactly. As David Foundation owns the perfection of a pair of bottle (1351) is a very high quality. We can guess there was no "Sometsuke" until at the mid of 14^th century.
Through merchants of Arabia spread "Sometsuke" is introduced "Sometsuke" all over the world at the time of 15^th century.It is said that A lot of China pottery was left along the ports by Arabians . The most famous china collection has been left at the Topukapu palace in turkey.
"Sometsuke" was attracted to everybody in the world. Some countries, people tried to produce "Sometsuke".
"Arita" was the first place to produce "Sometsuke" in Japan beginning of the 17th century. In Arita in" Kyushu" technology improved rapidly the quality became same as China .
Arita produced porcelain /"Sometsuke" to export to European countries in the middle of the 17th century because of the war in China.The porcelain of Arita was exported actively into the European countries.
They call them "Imariyaki" from the name of port.
After 200 years from Arita at the mid of 19th century, Seto started producing White pottery with "Sometsuke".

And, "Katou Tamikichi" went to Kyushu to learn porcelain. He obtained the technology of "Marugama" (Down-draught) and how to use "Isubai" (ash glaze). The technique of products porcelain advanced rapidly in Seto. The pottery industries of this town has developed by "Sometsuke". The feature of "Setosometsuke" is a method it draws mightily by using "Tuketate-Fude" (brush) that is called MOKOU-GIHOU. This technique was brought by the "Nanga" painter who had visited Seto-city.
"Setosometsuke" was greatly made during Meiji era was highly evaluated at the international exposition .It is said that "Setosometsuke" that drew nature in realism influenced the art nouveau that started in France.
However, the age changes, and mechanization and manual labor saving have advanced for mass production.
Moreover, the method of making a lot of biscuit by using piece plaster mould . The technology that prints in them by using the decals. Once It started breaking off the technology of traditional SETOSOMETSUKE.
The warm handmade feeling is nice. "Somtsuke" is very beautiful, and it makes people happy and warm feelings. Handmade pottery is being evaluated again.
We expect that "SETOSOMETSUKE" will develop more in the future.
We  always need to some beauty of mind.