Haga Minoru, Hakuhaku Plate, 11cm

These are works by Minoru Haga, who makes pottery in Sera Town, Hiroshima Prefecture.

Mr. Haga studied Mino ware in Gifu, a pottery producing region, and then worked as a potter while working at an automobile factory. To devote himself to his creative activities, he opened a studio in Sera Town in 2010, which is close to his hometown of Fuchu City.
His works simultaneously encompass two opposing impressions: the dynamic, inorganic impression that evokes the beauty and harshness of nature, and a slightly human softness that adds to simple forms.

The "Umemonoyaki" (buried firing) technique is a unique method that involves bisque firing, then glazing and main firing, and then burying the work in split firewood and firing it again in a wood-fired kiln.
This method has a very high chance of failure, but because it results in pottery with complex expressions, Mr. Haga is passionately dedicated to it.

"Hakuhaku" (peeled white) is a new endeavor using white glazes, but it involves the process of intentionally applying and then peeling off the glaze, deliberately bringing out a decayed texture.
The price range is accessible, and the simple color tones enhance the food.

"Kurogin" (black silver) is a silver technique that offers a glimpse of the rough texture of the clay.
The glare is suppressed, creating a work where a metallic texture and the black of the clay harmonize beautifully with the earth.

Mr. Haga presents the inherent irreversibility of the act of pottery making with extreme sincerity.
What is there is not a simple contrast between destruction and creation, but an attitude of confronting "irretrievability" itself.
We hope you enjoy Mr. Haga's works, which utilize a variety of techniques.

■ Size: Diameter 11.5cm, Height 2cm
■ Weight: Approximately 140g
■ Microwave: ◯ / Dishwasher: △ / Oven: ×

*Mr. Haga's works value偶然性 (coincidence), so there are large individual differences.
The photos are generally the same size, but the patterns and fine details of each item differ, so please consider them as an example.
"Umemonoyaki" has a stronger random nature than "Hakuhaku." Please be aware of this in advance.

<Minoru Haga>
1983 Born in Fuchu City, Hiroshima Prefecture
2008 Completed Tajimi City Pottery Design and Research Center, Graduation Project Award
2012 The 24th Toki City Oribe Day Commemorative Project, 5th Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition, TOKI Oribe Encouragement Award
2013 The 25th Toki City Oribe Day Commemorative Project, 6th Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition, Selected
2014 Built a wood-fired kiln in Sera-cho, Sera-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture