Hagi-yaki Hantsutsu-gata Chawan

Name: Hagi-yaki Hantsutsu-gata Chawan
Brand: Senryūzan Kiln
SKU: US-M492
Price: 148.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Senryūzan Kiln

$148.00

In true Hagi-yaki style, this wood-fired chawan (matcha bowl) blends Japanese shapes and Korean aesthetics into a single harmonious whole. The straight-walled hantsutsu-gata (半筒形) shape is inspired by Japanese Raku chawan, while the bamboo-node foot (竹の節高台 - takenofushi kōdai) and warm, naturalistic glaze reflect Hagi-yaki's Korean roots.

Each bowl is thrown from Daidō clay (大道土), one of Hagi's three traditional clays, mixed with sand, giving it a coarser, more rustic feel. The piece is then covered in an ash and slip glaze and wood-fired in a climbing kiln in an oxidative atmosphere, producing a beautiful effect with fine crazing, and shades of pink, and beige

Like most Hagi ware, this piece is porous and will absorb water and tea and change colour over time. Before its first use, we recommend soaking the entire piece in warm water for at least two hours to dislodge any dust. This also allows water to fill the cracks and pores, slowing the rate at which tea stains the clay. Slowing the staining process allows the colour change to progress naturally and beautifully. With each subsequent, we suggest rinsing the bowl with hot water before preparing tea in it, as you would with any chawan.

Before using it for the first time, it is recommended to soak the piece in water for 10 minutes. This will dislodge any dust from the clay as well as slow down the natural development of patina in the glaze.

This piece was made by the skilled craftsmen at Senryūzan Kiln and wood-fired in their climbing kiln before being packed in a kiribako (wooden paulownia box) and signed by the artists.

Hagi-yaki (萩焼) is a type of Japanese pottery that comes from the town of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan and dates back over 400 years. Some of the oldest Hagi-yaki pieces have been declared National Treasures of Japan. The natural warm hues of its clay, along with the simple lines of its forms are highly valued within the traditional aesthetics of many tea ceremony schools.

Hagi ware is said to improve with age as the tannins in the tea slowly stain the fine cracks in the glaze (called crazing or kan-nyuu), creating a rich texture known as 'nanabake', or 'the 7 transformations'. Because of this slightly porous nature, some people like to dedicate their Hagi ware to one type of tea, such as sencha, to avoid having other aromas seep into the clay.Hagi-yaki’s porosity means it requires special care. New Hagi pieces should be soaked in warm water for 2-3 hours to dislodge any dust in the clay’s pores. Some new Hagi pieces can be so porous that water leaks or soaks through the clay. Do not be alarmed, this perfectly normal and will fix itself with regular use as the tea fills in the pores of the clay. It is very important not to use soap when cleaning Hagi ware as it too can seep into the clay.

Founded in 1826 towards the end of Edo period, Senryūzan Kiln contines the traditional techniques of Hagi-yaki, employing a kick wheel for many of their piece, instead of the more convenient electric pottery wheel. They also continue to make all of their clays and glazes in-house, rather than rely on commercially available materials, meaning their works reflect the natural materials, colours, and textures of Hagi. Lastly, firing in a wood-fired climing kiln (登り窯 - noborigama) gives each piece a unique charm and unpredictability not found in gas-fired ceramics.