Hagi Ware Bevelled Teacup

Hagi ware teacup · handmade · Zen-emon Sakakura

Each cup is made by hand, one by one, by Zen-emon Sakakura upon receiving an order. The pale pink gradation and soft, rustic surface are characteristic of Hagi ware — a quality of clay that carries warmth in the hand and a quietness that settles the mind simply to look at.

The diagonally bevelled form sits well in the hand and is comfortable to hold. Each piece is wire-cut, and because it is made by hand, the shape varies slightly from cup to cup. The color of the finished piece may also shift unpredictably — a phenomenon known as kiln alteration, caused by the nature of the flame and the substances in the glaze. The potter does not know the final color until the piece is removed from the kiln. This is considered one of the deepest pleasures of working with ceramics.

Hagi ware is a traditional craft that changes with use. Small cracks develop gradually on the surface, and the color deepens and shifts over time — a quality the Japanese call nanahake, the seven transformations. A cup to keep for years, and to let age with you.

meet the artisans

Zenemon Sakakura

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With tea sweets