Ao Hagi Tea Cup #209

Hagi ware, a traditional pottery from Yamaguchi Prefecture, dates back to the late 16th century when Korean potters Yi Sukkwang and Yi Kyung were brought to Japan by Lord Mori Terumoto. The first kiln was established in Matsumoto village, and by the mid-17th century, production expanded to Fukawa village, creating two main Hagi ware lineages.

Known for its simple aesthetics and unique "kannyu" glaze cracks, Hagi ware changes over time as tea seeps into the glaze, embodying the Japanese wabi-sabi philosophy of beauty in imperfection.