Hagi yaki ceramic shihō hanaire vase by Tobei Tahara

This piece by master ceramicist Tobei Tahara XII belongs to the grand tradition of Hagi ware (Hagi pottery), one of the most refined expressions of Japanese ceramics. Heir to a historical lineage of potters established since the Edo period in the Hagi region of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Tahara develops a style deeply rooted in this tradition while imbuing it with a highly personal presence. Through its architecturally structured shihō hanaire (square vase) form and the mineral texture of its surface, this vase fully expresses the wabi-sabi aesthetic, where the simplicity of form and the materiality of the clay reveal a discreet and timeless beauty.

The ceramist

Tobei Tahara XII (1912-1991), whose real name was Genjiro Tahara, was born in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture, in the heart of the Hagi region, a major center of Japanese ceramics. The second son of Tobei Tahara X, he belonged to a line of ceramicists whose origins date back to the beginning of the Edo period and which constitutes one of the historical families of Hagi yaki.

After attending Yamaguchi High School, his career was marked by World War II. Mobilized in 1944 and sent to Manchuria, he was interned in Siberia after the end of the conflict before returning to Japan in 1948. Upon his return, he took over the family pottery business when his older brother, Tobei Tahara XI, found himself without a successor.

In 1956, he officially adopted the name Tobei Tahara XII, becoming the heir to this prestigious lineage of Hagi potters whose origins date back to the early Edo period. Recognized for the quality of his work and his commitment to the Hagi yaki tradition, he was admitted in 1972 as a full member of the Nihon Kogei Association (Japan Craft Association). In 1981, Yamaguchi Prefecture designated him as a holder of intangible cultural heritage for Hagi pottery.

The technique and the decor

This piece exemplifies the characteristic qualities of Hagi yaki (Hagi pottery), renowned for its vibrant, porous surfaces that evolve slowly with time and use. The vase is crafted from a clay rich in visible mineral particles, whose inclusions create a distinctive, granular, and irregular texture.

The carefully sculpted square shape features pronounced edges that structure the volume and accentuate the impression of verticality. The deliberately rough surface reveals the shaping techniques and the mineral composition of the clay. During firing, this material develops subtle variations in color, giving this vase its elegant character.

This treatment highlights the very essence of Hagi yaki, where the relationship between clay, fire and time produces a living surface, destined to slowly transform over the years.

Presentation

The piece is signed by the ceramist on its base. It comes with its original wooden box, also signed by the artist.

Practical information

Place of manufacture
Japan, Hagi region, Yamaguchi prefecture

Dimensions
Height 26.5 cm - Width 8.5 cm - Depth 8.5 cm

Weight
Vase + box: 1.7kg

Materials
Sandstone, Hagi yaki (Hagi ceramic)

Period
Shōwa era (1926 - 1989)

Condition
In good condition