A pottery that grows with you,
becoming your story.
How it all began
“My journey with Hagi-yaki (Hagi ware) started with the works of a 90-year-old potter, Mr. Shibuya.
The moment I held one of his creations, I felt a deep urge:
“I must share this with people who have never seen it yet.”
It was the year 2024, when I decided to move to Europe to spread this beauty of Japanese crafts.”
Why I fell in love
Hagi-yaki is a mysterious kind of pottery.
When you hold it, you feel the warmth and softness of the clay,
and it gently gives you a relaxing feeling.
When poured in tea or coffee, the aroma and taste unfold in unexpected depth.
With each use, its surface changes in surprising ways - colors grow richer,
and the piece slowly becomes uniquely yours.
Affection grows alongside it and it feels as if the pottery is alive
- growing together with you, becoming uniquely yours.
I only want to introduce pieces I truly fall in love with.
Hagi-yaki carries both the spirit and passion of its potter
and the affection that grows through daily use.
That is why I believe it has the power to enrich our life and touch our hearts.
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Why Japanese Tea?
Tea is something we enjoy every day. When I moved abroad, I tried different Japanese teas, but many didn’t taste as good as I remembered.
That’s when I realized how exceptional the teas from Tagashira Chaten, a wholesaler in Hiroshima since 1930, truly are - smooth, rich, and deeply comforting.
They have been devoted to creating premium deep-steamed teas, now also available in convenient tea bags.
Their mission is to make authentic Japanese tea and the spirit of the tea ceremony more accessible to everyone.
By sharing these teas in Europe, I hope more people can enjoy the daily comfort and quiet richness that Japanese tea brings.
A Wish for the Future
Through Hagi-yaki, I hope to bring Japanese craftsmanship closer to your everyday life.
Pottery that grows with time in your hands, becoming one of a kind, and that warms your days.
Creating such a gentle cycle between potters and you - that is my mission.
by Shujiro Tanaka, the founder of Tanaka NL