Shonzui generally refers to blue-and-white porcelain fired at folk kilns in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, China, mainly during the late Ming Dynasty, particularly the Chongzhen period (1628–1644), produced in response to orders from Japan. This is the term used in Japan.
Compared to Ko-sometsuke, Shonzui uses higher quality clay and pigments, and the vessels are carefully shaped with meticulous painted patterns. The decorations often feature auspicious motifs and are combined with continuous geometric patterns.
The origin of the name “Shonzui” is believed, according to one theory, to come from inscriptions found on some pieces that read “五良大甫 呉祥瑞造” (“Made by Go Shonzui”), which is interpreted to mean that “Shonzui,” the eldest son of the fifth son of the Wu (Go) family, created them.