Chawan Chawan Made of Hagi Ware by Gyokusui Fujisaki

A fine network of crackle lines covers the delicately cream-colored glaze, tinged with a hint of pink, of this chawan, lending it the almost fragile-looking texture characteristic of Hagi ware.

With continued use, tea seeps into the fine cracks and changes the color of the vessel over the years – an aging process that in Japan is highly prized as "Nanabake," the seven transformations of Hagi ware. The simple, slightly irregular shape with the low foot follows the centuries-old tradition of Hagi pottery, which is valued for its restraint and warmth and has been closely connected with the Japanese tea ceremony since the Momoyama period.

This chawan is the work of Fujisaki Gyokusui and comes in a wooden box signed by the master potter. As a handcrafted unique work, it promises not only aesthetic enjoyment when viewed, but also a continually evolving collector's piece for lovers of Japanese tea ceramics.