Hagi ware has long been prized in the world of tea ceremony.
Hagi ware changes the more it is used, and the exquisite changes in color of the vessel are proof that it has come a long way with the vessel.
In modern times, Hagi no Nanabake ware is not only used in the world of the tea ceremony but is also used in everyday life to decorate family tables, and the color of the glaze changes over time, teaching us the joy and importance of long-term use.
Click here for Hare to Kurasu [Hagi ware]! ▶
Hagi City, where Hagi ware was born, is located in the northern part of Yamaguchi Prefecture, with the northern part of the city bordering the Sea of Japan and the eastern part of the city bordering Shimane Prefecture.
More than 400 years have passed since Mori Terumoto built Hagi Castle, and the castle town's appearance has been passed down to the present day. It is still registered as a World Heritage Site as "a town where maps from the Edo period can be used as is."
During the late Edo period, the city is also known as the birthplace of the Meiji Restoration, as it nurtured and produced many talented people, including Yoshida Shoin and Takasugi Shinsaku, who built the foundations for Japan's modernization, which was called a miracle in world history at the end of the 19th century.
Hagi city is not only a castle town, but is also blessed with beautiful nature, including a beautiful coastline and the Chomon Gorge, a nationally designated scenic spot, as well as the sea, mountains, and rivers. And this history and land have nurtured one of Japan's leading pottery products, the traditional craft "Hagi ware."
Hagi ware has been popular mainly as utensils for the tea ceremony. It fully utilizes the texture of the clay, which is the material, and has almost no painting, so it is simple but has a tasteful and comforting warmth.
<The history of Hagi ware>
The history of Hagi ware dates back to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea in 1592 (first year of Bunroku) during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. At the time, tea ceremony culture was so popular that the invasion was also known as the "Pottery War." The brothers Ri Seok-gwang and Ri Gyeong, potters who were brought back from the Korean peninsula, opened an official kiln in the Tsubaki-Higashi Matsumoto area east of Hagi Castle in the early 17th century.
Therefore, it is said that initially it resembled Goryeo tea bowls from the Korean peninsula, and used the same techniques and shapes. The first three generations of the Saka family are called Ko-Hagi, and are considered the golden age of Hagi ware, and later the brothers each created their own schools.
What is the culture of tea ceremony?
"Chanoyu" or "Chado" is the culture of serving tea, and is one of the traditional cultures that Japan takes pride in. Sen no Rikyu, who served as the tea master to Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, pursued and perfected a style of tea ceremony called "wabicha" that eliminates waste to the utmost, elevating it to a comprehensive art. He also established a style of garden called "chaniwa" that reflects the "aesthetic sense of wabi," and pursued natural beauty by incorporating fallen leaves as part of the natural scenery .
▲ " Jikichutei" in Kyoto, a garden said to have been created by Sen no Rikyu
As times changed, Hagi ware went into temporary decline and the number of kilns decreased. During that time, Kyusetsu revived the style, establishing a unique style known as Kyusetsu-haku , and the 12th Sakakura Shinbei made Hagi ware widely known throughout the country. Eventually, with the resurgence in popularity of the tea ceremony in the Meiji period, the trend of enjoying the tea ceremony among the wealthy and women grew stronger, and Hagi ware was revived.
As the traditional tea ceremony pottery (pottery for the tea ceremony), which characterizes Hagi ware, became increasingly popular, an unprecedented variety of pottery was produced, including ornaments, accessories, and everyday utensils.
Thus, in the world of the tea ceremony, these vessels have come to be known as such, reflecting the preferences and ranking of tea masters since ancient times, with the saying "First Raku, second Hagi, third Karatsu."
<The Seven Transformations>
Hagi ware has a unique feature called the "Hagi no Nanabake" that appears with continued use.
The clay used in Hagi ware is coarse-grained and fired at a low temperature, so it is not very compact. This means that there are many small gaps between the clay, which allows tea and alcohol to soak in and change color the more it is used.
As the pottery is used, fine cracks called "crazing" appear in the glaze on the surface of the pottery, and as colors from tea stains and other things seep into these cracks, the color changes; this phenomenon is called "nanabake."
This seven transformations are also called "tea-familiarization," and tea masters have enjoyed the way they change since ancient times. The warmth of this transformation, which gives it a feeling of "wabi-sabi," is said to be the reason for its enduring popularity.
<How to care for Hagi ware>
While the appeal of Hagi ware is the "nanake" (changing color) of the pottery, care must be taken as mold can grow if not cared for.
Hagi ware is fired at a low temperature, resulting in a soft clay finish with little firing. Therefore, while it is said to be highly absorbent and has good heat and cold insulation properties, it is also said to be brittle, leaky, and prone to odors.
As you continue to use it, the gaps will fill up, the unique flavor will emerge, and the leaks will disappear. However, if you are concerned about leaks, you can stop them from leaking by soaking the container in a solution of potato starch or rice diluted with hot water and then drying it repeatedly.
We also recommend soaking it in water for about half a day before you first use it . After that, it's important to dry it thoroughly before using it.
We also recommend that you regularly disinfect your Hagi ware by boiling it to prevent mold . Hagi ware absorbs water easily, so be sure to dry it completely before storing it.
The greatest joy of Hagi ware is enjoying the seven changes in Hagi and creating your own unique piece of pottery.
Hagi ware brand "Tounomori"
The Hagi ware brand "Tounomori" that we carry in our store has a pottery studio located at the foot of Mt. Tadoko, to the east of the city, where you can see the city of Hagi.
The lineup features simple, gentle designs that are easy to use in your daily life, as well as the soft warmth of Hagi ware. Among Hagi ware, the "Tounomori" pieces are thick and have a deep flavor that makes use of the earthiness of the clay, and are sure to become your favorite pieces as you enjoy the various expressions of the pieces as you use them every day.
▲Brand: Tounomori