Legendary creatures of Japanese folklore, the Oni are gigantic demons reminiscent of orcs, with sharp claws and horns sprouting from their heads, and they embody the raw forces of nature. In folk tales, they are often portrayed as wicked and destructive beings. According to tradition, 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 the 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 Miwa Kyusetsu IX (Setsudo) of the Hagi ware tradition, Miwa Kyusetsu XI studied under his father and his elder brother, Miwa Kyusetsu X (Kyuwa), after graduating from middle school, and also trained with Kawakita Handeishi. After a long apprenticeship, he adopted the artist name “Kyu” and first exhibited his work in 1955. In 1957, he received his first award at the 4th Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, and continued to be selected for prizes thereafter. He became a member of the Japan Kogei Association in 1960. 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 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, both for his mastery of Hagi ware. He received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1976 and the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1982.

He skillfully carried on the traditional korai pottery style and the “Kyusetsu White” glaze developed by his elder brother. At the same time, he created a bold and uninhibited style of pottery known as “Onihagi,” conceived during his long years of training, which clearly expressed his individuality as the 11th-generation Miwa Kyusetsu. Later, he passed the Kyusetsu name to Ryusaku, took the artist name “Jusetsu,” and continued to work energetically as a potter. He died of old age on December 11.

This remarkable tea bowl is a fine example of Hagi-yaki (Hagi ware). Hagi-yaki has been produced since the late 16th century in the Hagi region, a small city in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Sea of Japan. The tradition began with a Korean potter who was brought to Japan at that time.

This particular piece was created by the well-known Hagi potter Yamane Seigen, born in 1952. Also a martial arts instructor, he channels intense energy and concentration into his work. A self-taught craftsman, Yamane entered the world of ceramics “to understand the truth of the world.” He established his kiln in 1987 and, after extensive research, developed his own blue Hagi glaze, which he named Seigen Blue. Although he mainly exhibits locally, his work is widely admired.

This type of chawan is called oni-hagi (demon-hagi) for its striking, between-two-worlds appearance. The contrast between dark and white, and between smooth and rough surfaces, creates a dramatic, almost devilish impression. The potter has named this particular bowl Hana-nio-yuki (“snow of flower scent”).

The bowl is in perfect condition and comes with its signed, authenticated 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 exhibit 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 an interesting subject, indeed. This particular bowl, however, has 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 condition. 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 a Hagi-yaki female ceramist who was also rumored to be a model of the main character of a manga movie. This is an Oni-Hagi - Devil tea bowl, made only with real raw natural materials. It is a work which cannot 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. It is called Oni-Hagi (Demon-Hagi) because of its contrast between-two-world look and because of the opposition between the dark and the white, smooth and the rough that create a divisive, devilish feel.