Seigan Yamane ido shape matchawan

This Ido chawan by Seigan Yamane is made from traditional Hagi clay and finished with a soft Hagi glaze. Its form and character trace their lineage to the Korean bowls that first reached Japan in the late 16th century. Vessels that deeply influenced the development of Japanese tea ceramics. In Yamane’s hands, this long tradition is not merely preserved but renewed, expressing the enduring simplicity and depth of Hagi ware.

Hagiyaki has been made for over four centuries in the castle town of Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Long admired for its soft textures and muted tones, it is celebrated in the saying, “Raku first, Hagi second, Karatsu third”,  a ranking of the most esteemed wares for the tea ceremony. Its character comes from local clay rich in iron and fine silica, and from natural, slightly porous glazes that allow the surface to change with use; over time, tea and water gently seep into the clay, deepening the colour and revealing a warm translucence known as nanabake, or “seven transformations.” While rooted in this quiet, imperfect beauty, contemporary Hagi potters now explore a wide range of clays, slips, and glazes, extending the calm spirit of Hagi from the tea room to the modern table.

142w x 82h