Seiryu Ippuku Wan

My new tea cup from Zencha, made by Yamane Seigan (click on the link for a brief interview and biography of the artist).

"Making pottery is a means to be a vacuum rather than a way to express myself."

This is my first Hagi-yaki. Hagi-yaki is a form of Japanese pottery that began just prior to the Edo period. During Hideyoshi Toyatomi's invasion of Korea in the 1590's, he ordered a Hagi daimyo, Mori Terumoto to bring back two Korean potters, Yi Sukkwang and Yi Kyung to establish kilns in Hagi. This form was also called Kourai, Korean pottery.

I think it is one the most beautiful cups I've seen. It reminds me of Starry Night. Like looking at twilight.

In case anyone's wondering how to care for Hagi-yaki:

• When using it for the very first time, rinse and let is soak in water over night to remove any dust or smells from the packing
  
• Before each use, let it sit and absorb water to prevent tea from soaking into it and causing tea stains.
  
• Do not microwave.
  
• Avoid leaving food or liquids high in acid, oil or alcohol in it for extended periods of time in it.
  
• After rinsing, dry throughly before storing. Hagi-yaki absorbs water, and improper storage may cause molding.
  
  

Update: I Googled Yamane Seigan and found another interesting link here. I love being able to attach a name and a face to my tea ware. I looked around and Yamane-san seems quite fond of the blue glaze, which they have come to call Seigan blue.