Hagi Ware Teacup

Hagi Ware Teacup from Yamaguchi prefecture. The cup has the distinctive white glaze with light blueish and pinkish hues and a very fine crackled glaze. 

• Diameter at top: 8.5cm
• Height: 5.5cm
• Packaging: wrapped in protective packaging

Please note: As each cup is handmade, it will look very similar to the one pictured, but not exactly the same to the finest detail.

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Hagi ware (萩焼, Hagi-yaki) is a traditional form of Japanese pottery originating from Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, during the early 17th century. It was developed by Korean potters brought to Japan by the Mori clan after the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598).

Hagi ware is made primarily from local Hagi clay, which is rich in iron and gives the pottery its characteristic soft and porous texture. Warabai (straw ash) glaze or a combination of feldspar and ash are used to create a translucent, crackled effect. It is fired at relatively low temperatures, allowing the clay’s natural warmth and subtle colours to emerge. The famous "seven transformations" (nanabake) refer to how the glaze changes in texture and colour with prolonged use, as tea seeps into the cracks over time.

In terms of style, Hagi ware is typically earthy, understated, and rustic, embodying wabi-sabi aesthetics (beauty in imperfection). Common colours include white, beige, light pink, and soft orange, often with a distinctive crackled glaze (kannyu). Tea bowls (chawan) and tea cups are the most renowned form, highly prized in Japanese tea ceremonies. Hagi ware remains a revered form of Japanese ceramics, valued for both its historical significance and its evolving beauty over time.