Reflections with Hagi Ware
We are excited to share a newly curated arrival of vintage Japanese ceramics from Hagi 萩市. A beautiful coastal town that has retained its history, Hagi is located in Yamaguchi Prefecture in the southwest of Japan. It is said you can still use maps from hundreds of years ago to navigate the city today.
A nearly seven-hour train hour ride from Tokyo, with at least two transfers, puts this ancient city well outside of the average tourist’s trip to Japan. But those willing to make the journey are in for a ceramic wonderland. Although home to less than 45,000 people, there are more than 200 active ceramic artists, including Miwa Kyusetsu XIII head of the famous Miwa kiln.
During the Edo Period (1603-1868) Hagi was the political center of the region and the local Daimyo (feudal lord) Mōri Terumoto 毛利 輝元 a ceramic patron, appointed potters to create works for his use in tea ceremony as well as gifts for others. Many of these craftsmen were captured and brought to the region from Korea where their skills were highly sought after.
The legacy of Hagi ware lives on today as it is favored for use in tea ceremony. As the saying goes, “first Raku, second Hagi and third Karatsu” firmly cementing Hagi’s importance behind only that of the famed Raku ware.
Hagi ware has multiple lives. Over time, as the clay and glaze interact with tea, the famous white blush color of new Hagi ware transforms to deeper tones of warm gray and shows a strikingly crazed surface. The vivid green of matcha looks exquisite in contrast to the color of Hagi ware.
It is this amazing ability of Hagi ware to transform over time that allows for reflection of the moment you are experiencing, as each interaction with the piece will be slightly different. Hagi ware is asking you to take note.
What more wonderful way to be present than through a cup of tea.
Hagi travel tips for when we can again :)
Stay in a traditionally appointed tatami mat room at Guesthouse Ruco and enjoy a locally brewed beer from Yamaguchi Hagi Beer in the cafe downstairs.
Rent a bike from one of the many such shops and tour the city's ancient streets filled with local artists.
Vist the Hagi Castle ruins and hike to the top of Mt. Shizukiyama.
Check out the beautiful ceramics and friendly folks at Gallery Jibita.
For just about $20, arrange a tour with Miwaseigado, the oldest ceramic gallery in Hagi, to see some of the city's different artists and kilns. Totally worth it!
Shop our selection of Hagi ware below and see even more fine crafts from Japan in-store.
