Yamane Seigan – Hagi Ware Kujaku Peacock Chawan – Seigan Blue - Ceramic - Seigan Yamane - Japan - Shōwa period (1926-1989)

– A distinctive Kujaku (Peacock) tea bowl by Yamane Seigan of the Kousaian kiln in Hagi, Japan
– Feathery streams of crimson, purple and cream flow into the deep, mysterious tones of Seigan Blue
– Gently faceted form with a warm, rustic Hagi clay foot, in unused condition

Summary:
A striking Hagi ware chawan by Yamane Seigan (born 1952), celebrated for his distinctive blue glazes. Named Kujaku, meaning peacock, this bowl evokes the bird's magnificent plumage through cascading layers of crimson-purple, cream and blue. Its expressive colours contrast beautifully with the earthy clay beneath, bringing a contemporary spirit to one of Japan's most cherished tea pottery traditions.

The Story of Hagi and Seigan

At the western end of Honshu, on the Sea of Japan coast, lies Hagi, an old castle town in Yamaguchi Prefecture. Its quiet streets, traditional walls and historic pottery workshops preserve an atmosphere shaped by centuries of craftsmanship. Hagi ware is particularly admired for its soft, earthy clay, gentle glazes and subtle irregularities that make each piece feel intimately connected to the hands of its maker.

The tradition began in the early 17th century, when Korean potters were brought to Hagi under the patronage of the powerful Mōri clan. Their techniques helped establish one of Japan's most respected ceramic traditions.

An old saying celebrates its place in the tea ceremony: "Ichi Raku, Ni Hagi, San Karatsu" — Raku first, Hagi second, Karatsu third.

Hagi pottery also holds a curious secret. Its porous clay and fine glaze cracks allow a tea bowl's appearance to change gradually through use, a phenomenon known as Hagi no nanabake, or the "seven transformations of Hagi". In this tradition, a bowl's beauty need not remain exactly as it was on the day it left the kiln.

But what happens when a potter decides to explore a different kind of transformation — one created not by years of tea drinking, but by the unpredictable meeting of colour, glaze and fire?

Yamane Seigan was born in Hagi in 1952. Largely self-taught at the potter's wheel, he followed an independent path, spending a full year building his own kiln. In 1990, he established the Kousaian kiln.

From 1992, he began researching blue Hagi glazes, eventually developing the distinctive colour now known as Seigan Blue. Behind those deep, layered tones lies a story of experimentation and artistic determination.

One can imagine the potter contemplating the splendid feathers of a peacock, wondering whether flowing glaze might capture their movement without painting a single feather. Perhaps the answer lay in allowing the fire to contribute something that even the potter could not entirely predict.

Crimson-purple and creamy white glazes descend from the warm ochre rim, spreading into delicate, feather-like streams. Near the base, they encounter a rich blue and teal, creating unexpected transitions and subtle variations.

The gently faceted walls and softly undulating rim retain the tactile character of traditional Hagi pottery. Inside, a quieter pale grey-cream glaze leads towards a blue-ringed pool with a dark, speckled centre.

Beneath the vivid colours, the coarse reddish Hagi clay remains visible around the unglazed foot, grounding this expressive work in its centuries-old tradition.

There is more to discover in the relationship between Seigan's unusual blue, the peacock-inspired glaze and the long history of Hagi.

Whether used for preparing matcha or appreciated as a sculptural ceramic work, this chawan invites curiosity, reflection and a closer look.

Condition and Dimensions

Maker: Yamane Seigan (山根清玩)
Kiln: Kousaian (光彩庵)
Origin: Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan
Type: Kujaku (Peacock) Chawan
Diameter: Approx. 12.2 cm
Height: Approx. 8.6 cm
Condition: Unused

No damage is visible in the photographs. A small spot of blue glaze on the foot appears to be part of the original firing. An impressed mark is present near the foot, although its characters are not clearly legible. Please examine the original photographs carefully for the bowl's condition and individual glaze characteristics.

A little more of this bowl's story awaits its new owner.

This listing contains AI Visualisations. Please refer to the original photographs for the actual object condition.

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