[Hagi ware]
One of the most famous Japanese ceramics produced in Yamaguchi prefecture, that is also called as "Korai ware".
In 1604, the Korean potter brothers, Li Shakuko and Li Kei, were invited to Hagi domain (present Yamagichi) by the feudal load Terumoto MORI. Under the patronage of Mori Terumoto, they established the kiln and produced ceramic which became the origin of Hagiware.
Hagi ware has humble forms and it has firing-denatured patterns/colors. Because it has tiny cracklings on surface , the color of Hagi ware gradually changes as water percolates from inside to outside through cracklings. This unique phenomenon is called "7 changes of Hagi ware".
From ancient times, Hagi ware has been admired by tea masters. There is a saying among them; " Ichi Raku, Ni Hagi, San Karatsu" which means "First-Raku, Second-Hagi, Third-Karatsu".
[Shinbei SAKAKURA]
A Hagi-ware potter in Hagi city, Yamaguchi.
The heads of the Itakura pottery studio have succeeded the name “Shinbei Sakakura” from the first generation.
The originator of the family was Li Shakuko who was one of 2 potters from Korea who were invited by the feudal lord, Terumoto Mori around 1592~98. (The other potter was his younger brother, Rikei who was the originator of Kouraizaemon Saka.) Li and Rikei worked at a house kiln under the patronage of Hagi clan and it was the beginning of Hagi ware.
They have used the surname “Sakakura” from 6th generation.
Second Generation: Shinbei Mitsumasa Yamamura (unknown-1658)
The oldest son of the first generation. During his lifetime, disciples of the first generation moved to Fukagawa to built a new kiln.
Third Generation: Heishiro Mitsutoshi Yamamura(unknown-1709)
The son of the second generation. After he moved to Fukagawa, a house kiln “Sannose pottery studio” was built there under the patronage of Hagi clan, and this studio was the origin of Fukagawa ware.
Fourth Generation: Yahei Mitsunobu Yamamura (unknown-1724)
Fifth Generation:Genjiro Mitsunaga Yamamura (unknown-1760)
Sixth Generation: Tozaemon Sakakura
He changed his family name as “Sakakura”.
Seventh Generation: Gorouemon Sakakura (unknown-1792)
Eighth Generation: Hanhei Sakakura (unknown-1822)
Ninth Generation: Heisuke Sakakura (unknown-1850)
Tenth Generation: Kurouemon Itakura (unknown-1857)
Eleventh Generation: Shinbe Sakakura (unknown-1897)
Twelfth Generation: Shinbei Sakakura (1881-1960)
The oldest son of the 11th generation. His childhood name was Heikichi.
He succeeded the 12th generation in 1897 and learned Hagi ware pottery under the 9th generation Koraizaemon Saka. He revived Hagi ware that reclined after the abolition of clans so he was said to be the restorer of Hagi ware.
He tightened the connection between Hagi ware and Japanese Tea ceremony, and it established the image of Hagi ware as the Tea utensils maker.
He learned Japanese Tea ceremony under Minji Subi, the older brother of Shoin Yoshida, then learned under the 12th generation master of Urasenke to develop his technique to make tea utensils. His works were modesty and quiet to match the atmosphere of tea ceremony.
He won many prizes and recognized as the holder of the intangible cultural properties by Yagmaguchi prefecture in 1956. Died in 1960 at the age of 79.
Thirteenth Generation: Shinbei Sakakura (unknown-1945)
The oldest son of the 12th generation. His real name was Kourato.
He was killed in WW2 and the title of the 13th generation Shinbei Sakakura was awarded him.

Fourteenth Generation: Shinbei Sakakura Souji (1917-1975)
He was the third son of the 12th generation. His real name was Jihei.
He worked in Kobe after he graduated from Hagi commercial high school in 1934, but he returned his home to carry family business after death of his older brother, the 13th generation. He succeeded the 13th Shinbe Sakakura when his father died in 1960.
He won several prizes at such as Japan Modern Ceramic Art Exhibition and Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and recognized as the holder of of the intangible cultural properties by Yagmaguchi prefecture in 1972.
His style was modesty with modern sense. He died in 1975 at the age of 58.
Fifteenth Generation: Shinbei Sakakura (1949-)
The oldest son of the 14th generation. His real name was Masaharu.
After he finished his master degree at the graduate school of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, he returned to his home because of his father’s ill. He carried his family business as a potter, still it was only 6 month when he studied under his father because the 14th generation master needed to enter hospital. The 14th generation passes away in 1978 and he succeeded the 15th generation at age 26.
He hold solo exhibitions and attended exhibitions both inside and outside of Japan and received several awards including the recommendation of art of Yamaguchi prefecture in 2004. He was recognized as the holder of the important intangible cultural property in 2013.