Getting HAPPY for the holidays.
We are starting to pull out some handsome Japan treasures which we’ll post throughout the coming weeks.
The window is full of a selection of HAGI YAKI (Hagi ware) from the Yamaguchi prefecture.
The tradition of Hagi pottery is said to have originated during the 16th century as various Japanese military campaigns forced skilled Korean ceramic artists to Japan. Under the patronage of lord Mori Terumoto, Hagi yaki was developed and became in high demand as tea ceremony utensils for the wealthy class.
Hagi yaki is composed of mix of local clays which are slightly porous and generally orange-red in color. The variations of the translucent white glaze and pink spotting combined with rustic, humble forms give Hagi ware its unique identity. As the vessels are typically used for tea, moisture and tea deposits are absorbed in the tiny cracks (kannyu) in the glaze, causing the tone within the color of the ware to change over time.