[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".
[Tobei TAHARA]
Japanese potters. The Tahara families have been succeeding pottery’s technique over 13 generations, and are known for “Fukami goyou gama (a type of Fukamiyagi pottery made in Yamaguchi )”.
- First Generation (Ri Shaku Kou)
- Second Generation (Shinbei Mitsumasa YAMAMOTO, ? - 1654)
- Third Generation (Heisiro Koshun YAMAMOTO, ? - 1709)
- Fourth Generation (Yabei Mitsunobu YAMAMOTO, ? - 1724)
- Fifth Generation (Genjiro Mitsunaga YAMAMOTO, ? - 1785)
- Sixth Generation (Tobei Mitsusada AKAGAWA, ? - 1815)
- Seventh Generation (Chubei Mitsuyuki AKAGAWA, ? - 1844)
- Eighth Generation (Kidaozou Mitsutaka AKAGAWA, ? - 1879)
- Ninth Generation (Tobei TAHARA, ? - 1934)
- Tenth Generation (Kokuri Tobei TAHARA, ? - 1939)
His name was Morio. In 1907, he succeeded the 10th head.
- Eleventh Generation (Kokuri Tobei TAHARA, ? - 1956)
A son of the 10th Tobei. His name was Tadatarou. In 1943, his works were nominated to the Technical Preservation Pottery, and in 1943, nominated to the Artistic Pottery.
- Twelfth Generation (Kokuri Tobei TAHARA, 1925 - 1991)
A son of the 10th Tobei. Born in Nagato city in Yamaguchi prefecture. His name was Genjirou.
1944 - Yamaguchi high school commissioned him to go to Manchuria.
1945 - He was detained in Shiberia at the same time of the end of the war.
1948 - He was released from the detention.
1956 - He succeeded the 12th Tobei.
1972 - He became a certified as a regular member of Nihon Kogeikai (the Japan Art Crafts Association.)
1981 - His works were approved to Intangible cultural properties designated by Yamaguchi Prefecture.
- Thirteenth Generation (Kokuri Tobei TAHARA, b. 1993)
A son of the 12th Tobei. Born in Yamaguchi. His name was Kenji.
In 1975, he graduated from Graduate School of Musashino Art University, and apprenticed under Shigetoshi NAKAZATO in Karatsu.
In 1993, he became a certified as a regular member of Nihon Kogeikai (the Japan Art Crafts Association.)
He has gotten many praises at the exhibition or the department in Japan: Nihon Kogeikai Yamaguchi Shibuten (the Japan Kogeikai Yamaguchi Branch Exhibition) in 1979, the honorable mention at the Yamaguchi Art Museum in 1982, the Prize of Education and Culture Promoting by Nagato City in 1990.