This is a charming Hagi-yaki Futaoki 蓋置, a small ceramic rest used in Japanese tea ceremony to hold the kettle lid or bamboo ladle. It can also be beautifully repurposed as a napkin ring, making it a lovely piece for both tea practice and table setting.
The piece has a simple cylindrical form, with the warm softness typical of Hagi ware. Its surface shows a gentle grey glaze with pale pinkish blush tones near the base, creating a calm and natural atmosphere. Around the body is a hand-painted floral branch motif, decorated with green leaves, dark stems, golden accents, and small red blossoms, giving the piece a delicate seasonal feeling.
This subtle color shift — known in Hagi ware as “Hagi no nanabake” (萩の七化け) — beautifully captures the kiln’s natural variations, ensuring no two pieces are ever alike. Hagi ware is especially appreciated for its soft clay body, subtle glaze variations, and quiet rustic beauty. Over time, Hagi pieces may develop more character through use, a feature admired in Japanese tea culture.
