This Hagi-yaki (萩焼) chawan embodies the warm, organic character that has made Hagi ware one of Japan’s most beloved tea ceramics. Formed from the region’s soft, iron-rich clay and finished with a milky white glaze that melts gently over warm beige tones, the bowl displays the subtle, earthy texture and natural imperfections cherished in the tea ceremony.
It features a soft, porous glaze with kan-nyū (貫入) crackle, natural pinholing, and flowing glaze drips that catch the light in a quiet, understated way. The interior shows beautiful variations from the firing—pooling glaze, earthy blushes, and kiln marks that reveal the potter’s hand and the unpredictable beauty of Hagi’s traditional kiln atmosphere.
The foot (kodai) is especially expressive, with exposed clay and speckled white glaze that highlight the tactile quality of Hagi clay. These features will continue to change subtly with use, developing a deeper patina known as “Hagi no Nanabake” (萩の七化け) — the “Seven Transformations” of Hagi ware, a characteristic highly valued by tea practitioners.
With its gentle form, warm color palette, and wabi-sabi aesthetics, this chawan is a wonderful vessel for whisking and appreciating matcha, and a lovely addition for collectors of traditional Japanese tea ceramics.
