The event “Utsuwa no Aki (Pottery in Fall),” where you can experience the culture of Hagi ware, will be held again this fall in Nagato Yumoto Onsen, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Eight artists from all five Fukawa-Hagi kilns will participate in the event. This year’s theme is “Irotori,” named after the vibrant colors of the beautiful season when the leaves change. The event will feature an array of Hagi ware and various related programs, scheduled from September 14 to October 14, 2024.

At Onto, the main venue symbolizing Nagato Yumoto Onsen, a special exhibition showcasing works by eight artists from the five kilns of Fukawa-Hagi, crafted using traditional techniques and materials, will be held from September 14 to 23. This year, there will be four satellite venues — an increase from last year. At Otozuredo, there will be an exhibition of unique pieces such as tea ware and objects. At cafe&pottery Oto, works suitable for daily use will be displayed and sold. A gallery inside Otanisanso will feature sake ware by Fukawa-Hagi artists, while Gyokusenkaku will host a special exhibition of the T Series by Takao Tahara, which presents a new style of Hagi ware.

Related events include the popular annual Kawadoko Kissa, where visitors can enjoy matcha while listening to the soothing sounds of Otozure River, with the riverbed of Nagato Yumoto Onsen transformed into a tea room. There will also be a tour of the Shinjo Sukeemon-gama Kiln, a Fukawa-Hagi kiln, where guests can learn about the history and artworks directly from the artists and visit a communal kiln, designated as a cultural property of Yamaguchi Prefecture, which was used until Taisho period (1912-1926). Additionally, there will be a gallery talk by Sadatsugu Shinjo XIV from the Shinjo Sukeemon-gama Kiln, offering a deeper experience of Fukagawa-Hagi. Other programs include a kintsugi workshop at cafe&pottery Oto, suitable for beginners; a Nodate set of matcha and dorayaki (bean-jam pancake) added to the menu at Akebono Cafe inside KAI Nagato; a special drink made with Nagato’s first craft gin, served in handcrafted pieces by Tohbe Tahara XIII; and a craft beer tasting event using Fukawa-Hagi beer mugs. Visitors can encounter Fukawa-Hagi throughout the hot spring resort.

Since its establishment in 1657 as an official kiln for the Hagi domain, Fukawa kilns have continued its tradition to this day. At Nagato Yumoto Onsen, both the kiln artisans and the hot spring resort staffs warmly welcome all visitors. As you enjoy the deepening fall scenery and immerse yourself in the region’s rich history and culture, you can discover new charms of Hagi ware.

◾️ Five Fukawa-Hagi klins and exhibited artists
Sakakura Shinbei-gama Kiln (Shinbei Sakakura XVI, Ikkei Sakakura)
Sakakura Zenemon-gama Kiln (Zenemon Sakakura X)
Sakata Deika-gama Kiln (Sumiharu Sakata)
Shinjo Sukeemon-gama Kiln (Sadatsugu Shinjo XIV, Akihiro Shinjo)
Tahara Tohbe-gama Kiln (Tohbe Tahara XIII, Takao Tahara)

*The works exhibited from the Sakakura Shinbei-gama Kiln includes pieces created by Masahiro Sakakura before he succeeded the name Shinbei Sakakura XVI, as well as works by Ikkei Sakakura and other artisans from the kiln.

◾️Related information
“Utsuwa no Aki vol.5”
Dates: September 14 to October 14, 2024
*Special exhibition at the main venue Onto is scheduled from September 14 to 23, 2024
Venue: Nagato Yumoto Onsen (Nagato-city, Yamaguchi Prefecture)
Official website: https://fukawahagi.jp/utsuwanoaki2024/

*Please note that some events may require reservations. Please check the official website for further details.