Bowl matcha / Hagi 12th Tahara Tobei

The 12th master potter of the Tahara family, Tahara Tobei, is recognized as one of the five greatest Hagi ceramic masters of the modern and contemporary eras. He is renowned for creating elegant and refined works, full of subtlety, as well as for his accomplished pottery techniques, perfectly in harmony with the spirit of the tea ceremony.

Hagi pottery originated in the late 16th century, shortly after the Japanese military campaigns on the Korean Peninsula. At that time, Korean potters were brought to Japan, bringing with them advanced ceramic techniques that would lay the foundation for several Japanese styles, including Hagi-yaki. The local feudal lord of Hagi, Mōri Terumoto, had kilns built in the Matsumoto area (present-day Hagi City) to produce ceramics for his personal tea ceremonies and official gifts. Over time, production spread to other areas, including Fukawa (now part of Nagato City), leading to the widespread popularity of Hagi-yaki throughout the Edo period (1603–1868).

Hagi-yaki is celebrated for its rustic simplicity and natural beauty. It is distinguished by its warm, earthy tones and soft, porous texture. A highly recognizable feature is the fine crackle in the glaze called kan-nyuu (貫入), which forms naturally as the kiln cools, since the glaze contracts more rapidly than the body of the ceramic. These cracks, in addition to their subtle visual appeal, allow liquids to slowly penetrate the surface, causing subtle changes in color over time. This phenomenon, highly valued in tea culture, symbolizes transformation and gives each piece a unique and vibrant character as it is used.

The production of Hagi-yaki relies on meticulous craftsmanship passed down through generations. Artisans use a blend of local clays (Daidō, Mitake, and Mishima) to achieve the desired texture and color. The clay is first mixed with water and filtered for approximately two weeks to remove any impurities. The pieces are then hand-shaped, dried, and bisque-fired. A layer of translucent beige glaze is applied to enhance the clay's natural tones. Finally, a second firing allows the glaze and clay to interact, creating the characteristic crackle effect and subtle variations in color.

Hagi-yaki holds a place of honor in the Japanese tea ceremony. An old proverb says, "Raku first, Hagi second, Karatsu third," highlighting the esteem accorded to Hagi-yaki. Its soft texture, its aesthetic evolution over time, and its poetic imperfection perfectly illustrate the principles of wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that values the beauty of impermanence, simplicity, and imperfection. The contrast between the richness of the vibrant green of the matcha and the subtle tones of Hagi-yaki intensify the sensory experience of the tea ceremony.