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'First Raku, Second Hagi, Third Karatsu' is the age-old ranking in Japan for chawan. Although many potters make chawan in these famous styles, a chawan is something more than just form, it's also spirit made visible combined with a disciplined technique. As Abe Anjin once told me as we gazed upon a Bizen chawan, "It has the appearance of a chawan, yet it's not a true chawan." For Hagi Hatano Zenzo makes the real deal. Hatano Zenzo (b.1942) was named a Yamaguchi Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property holder for his Hagi wares in 2003. Born in Karatsu, he studied pottery in both Karatsu and Arita before moving to Hagi to apprentice under Hagi great Yoshiga Taibi (1915-1991), who was one of only 11 potters (as of this moment) who were inducted into the Japan Art Academy fellowship (such legends as Itaya Hazan and Tomimoto Kenkichi were also fellows at the Nihon Geijutsuin). He learned much from his master, and has moved on to create both traditional and modern Hagi wares with both elegance and delicacy -these characteristics gave Zenzo (a beautiful ring to his name) the esteemed designation for Hagi. He is also the father of Hatano Hideo. I have long admired Zenzo's work for its gracefulness, splendid clay, and exquisite glazes; all of that can be seen on this light beige-toned deep-pool Ido form chawan. It has a delicate, yet strong temperament and of course the color harmonizes perfectly with whipped green tea. It truly is a contemporary masterwork of Hagi chawan. In perfect condition with a signed box, 8.8cm.tall and 14.5cm.wide, stamped on base. The gourd tokkuri-vase is by Hideo and the five guinomi also seen are by Zenzo, to be offered next week or advance previews on request.
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