Traditional clay-and-brick climbing kiln at the Sakakura Shinbei pottery workshop in Sonose, Nagato.

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A Visit to the Hagi Ware Kilns in Sonose, Nagato

I recently visited Sonose, a pottery village in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, to source Hagi ware.

This time, I stopped by Tahara Tohbe Studio, Sakakura Zenemon Kiln, and Sakakura Shinbei Kiln.

Sonose is a place I visit regularly for work, whether to select new pieces, collect finished works, or meet with the potters.

During this trip, I visited Tahara Tohbe Studio and Sakakura Zenemon Kiln, and stopped by Sakakura Shinbei Kiln to pick up some wooden boxes that had been prepared for our ceramics.

Sonose is located close to Nagato Yumoto Onsen, a peaceful hot spring town surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.

I also spent some time walking around the town and taking photographs along the Otozure River.

While in the area, I stopped by Taineiji Temple and Nagato Toyokawa Inari.

Although I visit this area frequently for work, the scenery changes with the seasons, and there is always something different to enjoy.

Here are some photographs from this visit to Sonose and the surrounding Nagato Yumoto area.

At Hagiyakiya, we offer works by Hagi ware artists from Sonose and other parts of Hagi, along with ceramic artists from across Japan.

We will continue adding newly acquired works to our website as they become available.

Orange-railed bridge crossing the Otozure River in Nagato Yumoto Onsen, with buildings and wooded hills beyond.

A bridge over the Otozure River in Nagato Yumoto Onsen.

Stone staircase lined with tall bamboo leading down toward the Nagato Yumoto Onsen town.

The bamboo-lined staircase at Nagato Yumoto Onsen.

Stone torii gate and tree-lined approach to Nagato Toyokawa Inari near Taineiji Temple.

Entrance to Nagato Toyokawa Inari in Nagato.

Historic temple buildings surrounded by trees and stone lanterns on the grounds of Taineiji Temple in Nagato.

Taineiji Temple grounds in Nagato, Yamaguchi.

Quiet garden lawn with trees and a temple building in the background at Taineiji Temple, Nagato.

Garden and temple grounds at Taineiji.

Ceramic bowls and vases on a windowsill overlooking rice fields and hills at Tahara Tohbe Studio.

View from Tahara Tohbe Studio in Sonose.

Small stream cascading over a stone weir between moss-covered stone walls and greenery in Sonose.

A stream flowing through Sonose, Nagato.

Climbing kiln at Sakakura Zenemon Kiln.

Ceramic vessels displayed on wooden shelves at the Sakakura Zenemon Kiln gallery in Sonose.

Ceramics on display at the Sakakura Zenemon Kiln gallery.

Climbing kiln at Sakakura Shinbei Kiln.