As a child, I would often hear my mother say 'otesho.' When preparing for dinner, my mother would say, "Please set out 'otesho' on the tray," and I would take small dishes out of the tea cabinet and put them down. I knew that small dishes were called 'otesho, ' but I did not know why; I suppose my mother didn't know, either.
After I started exploring the cultural history of food, I realized that 'otesho' derives from 'teshio-zara ('teshio' means small amount of salt and 'zara' means dishes).' The 'zara' of 'teshio-zara' was omitted, and instead the prefix 'o,' which indicates politeness, was added. Then 'Oteshio' was changed into 'otesho.' Hence, this word means a small plate to put salt on as condiment.
Soy sauce might have also been put on it, but it is salt that is the most important seasoning for ordinary people-just enough in small amounts. 'Teshio-zara' became a necessity at dining tables. I don't know when these kinds of tiny dishes became called 'mamezara,' but it seems to be a perfect word for them. Not only is the dish small, but it also creates an inexplicably adorable world in this small space with astonishing forms and designs. It could be described as 'kawaii(cute)!' in modern speech, but it is actually full of the wit and sophistication of adults. (taken from the Foreword by Isao Kumakura)

This book is published as a sequel of the previously-published "Mamezara" in the "Beautiful Japanese Traditions" series. It newly covers nearly 700 pieces of Mamezara from the collection of Hiroko Kidoh, proprietor of Tessaido, an antique shop in Nawate-Furumonzen in Kyoto. Together with the previous book, more than a thousand varieties of Mamezaras are presented, each one of which shows an even more beautiful, even more dainty figure.