Vintage item, never used. This Hagi-yaki (萩焼) chawan, crafted by Eikō (栄光) of the historic Shōkōzan kiln (松光山窯), embodies the quiet beauty and natural warmth that define Hagi ware. Formed with the soft local clay characteristic of the region and finished with a gentle ash glaze, the bowl displays a serene pale grey surface brushed with soft gradients, upon which warm reddish “Gohonte” spots bloom subtly across the body.
These blush-like marks—an expressive hallmark in some Hagi traditions—emerge in the kiln’s atmosphere as iron within the clay rises to the surface, creating a delicate interplay of texture and tone. The lightly rounded form and slightly irregular rim give the chawan a tactile intimacy, inviting the hands to cradle it during tea preparation.
The foot (高台) reveals the natural character of Hagi clay: coarse, earthy, and beautifully varied, grounding the refined glaze above. Over time and use, this bowl will continue to mature, developing the celebrated “Hagi no Nanabake” (萩の七化け)—the transformation of color and patina as tea slowly permeates the porous clay.
A graceful and quietly expressive work from Shōkōzan kiln, this chawan is ideal for those who appreciate the understated, evolving beauty of true Hagi ware.
