Potter: Eiichi Shibuya

Approximate size: W3.3″ by H3.1″ or 8.6 by 8.1 cm

This is a curious kuro-Hagi or black Hagi yunomi by upcoming potter Shibuya Eiichi (1979-). He’s the grandson and student of Shibuya Deishi (1961-), who is one of the most famous Hagi potters. And who used to be president of the Hagi Traditional Craft Association. The kiln they fire is called O-daiba and is located in Hagi City, Yamaguchi prefecture.

Thrown on a wheel and then carved by hand to give it this rugged exterior, carved pieces like this one are often referred to as ‘mentori‘, where mentori is the technique of slicing and shaping by cutting. The black glaze appears to have been influenced by the firing. It seems the base ingredients of the glaze have fluctuated on both ends of the spectrum, transforming part of the glaze to red and blue on either respective side. A highly unique Hagi piece that you don’t see every day.

1979 Born
2010 Selected for the Hagi city Art Exhibition
2012 Selected at Tanabe Museum “Tea Ceremony Formative Arts Exhibition”
Received the Ryukyu Shinposha award of Western Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
2014 Selected for the Hagi 3rd Modern Ceramic Exhibition
Selected for Toubiten
2015 Selected for Toubiten
2018 Received the Grand prize at the 5th Toubiten
Received the Distinguished Service for Culture Award from Yamaguchi Prefecture
Selected for the 65th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition

Eiichi’s grandfather studied under Living National Treasure Kyusetsu Miwa X and similarities can be seen in the white straw ash glaze Shibuya Deishi and Eiichi use. Techniques are passed to the younger generation and this method the style and Hagi tradition is constantly being renewed.

The origins of Hagi ware can be traced back to the arrival of Korean potters to Hagi, a quaint town situated in Yamaguchi Prefecture on the Japan Sea, following Japan’s military invasion of the Korean peninsula in the late 16th century. As a result, a large number of Korean craftsmen were abducted and transported to Japan, where they played a crucial role in establishing new pottery types such as Satsuma, Arita, and Hagi ware.

Shibuya Deishi (1961-), is a highly respected artist working in Hagi City. He began studying pottery in 1979 and started a tutelage with Kyusetsu Miwa X, who was the first potter in Hagi to receive the title of Living National Treasure. In 1999, he created his own kiln and has since done well winning numerous awards (such as the International Art Culture Award in 1984). His work has been accepted countless times in the Contemporary Arts and Craft Exhibition and he won the Art Exhibition in Yamaguchi Prefectural three times. Best known for his oni-Hagi works and straw-ash glazed chawan, his works are popular amongst tea enthusiasts and collectors.

Eiichi has a good teacher

This yunomi is brand-new and unused. Comes with the original paulownia wooden tomobako or storage box with calligraphy and Eiichi’s stamp on the lid. Mint condition.

The local feudal lord of the Hagi area at the time, Terumoto Mouri, had appointed potters in a castle town of Matsumoto (presently the city of Hagi), in order to create Hagi wares for his personal tea ceremonies and as gifts. The potters in Matsumoto steadily increased their production so that more kilns were established in Fukawa territory (presently the city of Nagato), during the mid-17th century. However, due to the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the potters employed by Lord Mouri were dismissed and began to run their own independent businesses. Gradually, more kilns were built outside of Hagi, spreading to the Miyano area of Yamaguchi city and also to other parts of the southwest region of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Thus, Hagi ware production continued throughout the Edo era.