Hagi-ware

Many kinds of potteries are produced in Japan. “Hagi-ware”, which is made at Hagi city, in the most west Prefecture in Honsyu, Yamaguchi, is one of them. We have introduced Arita-ware before. Although Arita- and Hagi-wares are classified in “pottery,” they are totally different in shape. But surprisingly, those two share the same origin.

Hagi-ware

 

Arita Porcelain

About 400 years ago when Japan was in a Warring states period, a war lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi tried to invade the Korean Peninsula. At last they were defeated, but they brought many craftsmen making high-quality Korean porcelains to Japan.

Those craftsmen settled in some places like Arita, Hagi, etc. and they continued making porcelains in the same way as they did in their homeland. Although the clays and materials have changed, their skills and techniques have been transferred to the present days in Japan. It is very interesting to know Japanese traditional potteries originally came from the Korean peninsula, isn’t it?

These are all Hagi-ware.

 As shown in photos, Hagi-ware is rather quiet or, in another word, subdued, while Arita-ware looks colorful. Some might think such subdued potteries are less popular. However, please remind that there has been a long history of tea ceremony in Japan, in which so-called “wabi-sabi” taste is highly appreciated. The sense of beauty in “wabi-sabi” simply fits in the subdued characteristics of Hagi-ware, and then it is one of the most beloved potteries when enjoying tea here in the past and now.

Written By Yabuuchi