Legendary creatures of Japanese folklore, Oni are gigantic demons similar to orcs, with sharp claws and horns sprouting from their heads, embodying the untamed forces of nature. In folk tales they are often portrayed as wicked and destructive beings. It is said that they were originally benevolent spirits, capable of warding off evil, but over time—especially in popular stories—they came to be seen as terrifying monsters of immense destructive power, guardians of the underworld, and bringers of natural disasters. Some scholars have hypothesized that Oni may be a symbolic transfiguration of the Emishi and the Ainu, ancient peoples who inhabited certain regions of Japan and resisted the rule of the Japanese emperors during the late Nara and early Heian periods, before ultimately being exterminated.

Hagi ware glazes (2): white Hagi glaze

This is a semi-opaque, cloudy white glaze made by mixing earth ash glaze with straw ash. It is commonly used not only on Hagi ware, but also by potteries in western Japan. Today, the main shade of this glaze is known as Kyūsetsu White which gives a look of thick, fluffy, and warm cotton.

Miwa Kyusetsu XI (1910-2012)

Born as the third son of the ninth-generation Miwa Kyusetsu (Setsudo) of the Hagi ware tradition, Miwa Kyusetsu XI began studying pottery under his father and his elder brother, the 10th-generation Kyusetsu (Kyuwa), after graduating from middle school. He also studied under Kawakita Handeishi. After a long period of training, he adopted the artist name “Kyu” and first exhibited his work in 1955. In 1957, he received his first prize at the 4th Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, and continued to be selected for awards thereafter. In 1960, he became a member of the Japan Kogei Association.

In 1967, following the voluntary retirement of his elder brother, the 10th-generation Kyusetsu, he succeeded to the name as the 11th-generation Miwa Kyusetsu. He was honored with the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1976 and the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1982. For his mastery of Hagi ware techniques, he was recognized as a Yamaguchi Prefectural Preserver of Intangible Cultural Property in 1972 and, in 1983, as a Nationally Designated Preserver of Important Intangible Cultural Property.

He skillfully carried on the traditional Korean-influenced pottery style and the “Kyusetsu White” glaze developed by his elder brother. At the same time, he established his own bold and dynamic style known as “Onihagi,” conceived during his long years of training, which clearly expressed his individuality as the 11th-generation Miwa Kyusetsu. After passing on the Kyusetsu name to Ryusaku, he retired, adopted the artist name “Jusetsu,” and continued to work energetically as a potter.

He passed away of old age on December 11.  

This spectacular tea bowl is a Hagi-yaki (Hagi ware). Hagi-yaki has been made since the end of the 16th century in the region of Hagi, a small city in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Sea of Japan. A Korean potter, who was brought back to Japan at that time, started the tradition. This particular piece was made by a fairly well-known Hagi potter named Yamane Seigen, born in 1952. He is also a martial arts instructor, and high levels of energy and concentration can be found in his pottery. A self-learned craftsman, Yamane decided to enter the world of ceramics "to understand the truth of the world." He founded his kiln in 1987 and, after much research, created his own blue Hagi, which he named Seigen Blue. He mainly exhibits locally, but he is widely admired. This type of chawan is called oni-hagi (demon-hagi) because of its contrasted and between-two-world look. The opposition between the dark and the white and the smooth and the rough creates a divisive, devilish feel. The potter has named this particular bowl Hana-nio-yuki (snow of flower scent). The bowl is in perfect condition. It comes with its signed, attested box. Dimensions: 14.5 cm x 9.5 cm. Weight: 520 g.

Koharu kiln 白萩 source into the(small) fujimura 進作 Hagi ware

This sublime hagi chawan was made by a woman potter named Fujimura Koharu, born in 1948 in the city of Hagi. In 1972, she first studied Hagi ceramics under Notomi Choun and Matsuno Ryuji, two contemporary Hagi potters. In 1983, she became independent, founded her own kiln, and in 1985, she went all over Japan to expose her work. A reference book published in 1987 recognized her as one of Japan's modern ceramists. In 1997, NHK (Japan Public Television) modeled Fujimura's life in a television drama; the fact that there are few women potters in Japan is and interesting subject, indeed. This particular bowl has however a very masculine strength, subdued by the milky white overglaze that, by its flow, seems to show quite a large range of emotions. A wonderful piece to hold. The bowl is in perfect conditions. It comes with a box bearing Fujimura's seal. Koharu kiln Fujimura work. The Oven from April became a waste kiln this year.. This is a work of Hagi-yaki female ceramist who was also rumored to be a model of the main character of a manga movie. This is a Oni-Hagi - Devil tea bowl, made only with real raw natural materials. It is a work which can not be obtained again because the place became a waste kiln. This spectacular tea bowl is a Hagi-yaki (Hagi ware). Hagi-yaki has been made since the end of the 16th century in the region of Hagi, a small city in the Yamaguchi prefecture on the Sea of Japan is it called oni-hagi (demon-hagi) because of its contrasted between-two-world look and because the opposition between the dark and the white,smooth and the rough that create a divisive, devilish feel.