Chawan Hagi Ware by Artist: Yuka Matsuo

HAGI WARE

Hagi-yaki (萩焼), or Hagi ware, is a regional style of Japanese ceramics that comes from the area around the town of Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture, for which it is named. Since its development over 400 years ago, Hagi-yaki remains highly valued within the traditional aesthetics of practically all tea ceremony schools, with some of the oldest Hagi-yaki pieces declared National Treasures of Japan. While it is most well known for its production of teaware and tea ceremony utensils, Hagi masters also produce tableware and sake ware for daily use, and more recently, sculptural art.

ARTIST

Yuka Matsuo (1951) opened his own kiln in Hagi in 1995. Blending white porcelain overglaze with Hagi-yaki tradition, he creates everyday tableware marked by delicate touches. Inspired by nature his work reflects a deep connection to daily life—what they call “rich-hearted pottery.” They return to Arita twice a year for inspiration and credit both history and customers as their greatest teachers.