Welcome to
Choungama
Founded by Choun Noutomi in 1979, Choungama is a family business in its third generation. The father-daughter team of Susumu and Naoko Noutomi preserve the history and techniques of Hagi ware - known as Hagiyaki - while adding their own unique style.
OUR STORY
Choungama’s pieces showcase these techniques while layering on the studio’s own modern craft. While traditional Hagiyaki features warm, earthy tones, our work features a signature clear blue glaze created by Susumu in 1989 and painstakingly refined over more than 35 years. Inspired by our natural surroundings in the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture, the blue known as Ao-Hagi evokes the beauty of the sky, the ocean, and even outer space.
Hagiyaki showcases Wabi-sabi, a Japanese philosophy that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and the natural cycle of growth and decay. It values authenticity and one-of-a-kind creations over perfect symmetry.
Hagiyaki’s unique trait of “kan-yuu” embodies the Wabi-sabi aesthetic. Over time and with use, natural cracks develop in a piece’s glaze alongside a deepening of color. While the character of the piece is perfectly preserved, its beauty is enhanced - not dimmed - with age.
Contact sorayung@gmail.com for booking
About us
The Noutomi family has dedicated their lives to creating pottery that is both functional and beautiful. Susumu takes joy in the process of trial and error, finding satisfaction in the experimentation with and development of new methods. Naoko utilizes her experience living abroad to create pieces that harmonize seamlessly with Western cuisine and hosting visitors and students from all over the world.
Susumu Notomi's biography
Born: February 19, 1951, Japan
Education
1973 – B.Eng., Kanto Gakuin University
Career
1975 – Began studying ceramics under his father, Chōun
1985 – Began producing works under his own seal
Selected Solo Exhibitions
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2019 – Fukuya Hatchobori Main Store
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2018 – Blue in Nature: Ao-Hagi Pottery, Nippon Club, New York
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2018 – Tales of Blue Pottery, Onishi Gallery, New York
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2018 – Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo
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2018 – Yokosuka Saikaya Department Store
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2016 – Maruzen Yaesu Main Store, Tokyo
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2015 – Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo
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2013 – JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan
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2012 – Maruzen Main Store
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2010 – Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
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2007 – Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
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2006 – Yamato-Yashiki Department Store, Himeji
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2004 – Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo
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2004 – Tenmaya Hatchobori Store
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2003 – Tenmaya Hatchobori and Mihara Stores
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2000 – Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
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1998 – Mitsukoshi Shinjuku; Maruzen Nihombashi
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1996 – Maruzen Nihombashi
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1995 – Mitsukoshi Shinjuku
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1994 – Mitsukoshi Shinjuku
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1989 – Tokyu Nihombashi Store
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Collaborations & Special Projects
2017 – Collaboration with fashion designer Hiroko Koshino, SAIKAI no Ao (Blue of SAIKAI), KH Gallery Ashiya
2017 – Video collaboration with violinist Mari Kimura, Music in Hues Roulette, Brooklyn, New York
2017 – Making of Ao-Hagi Tune of Blue (Sky and Ocean: The Movement of Blue), Nippon Club, New York
2016 – Collaboration with Hiroko Koshino, HAJIMARI no Ao (Beginning Blue), KH Gallery Ginza
Selected Group Exhibitions
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World Ceramic Expo 2001, Republic of Korea
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Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition III
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Tanabe Museum Grand Prize Exhibition: Tea Ceremony Forms
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Contemporary Form Exhibition V, Yamaguchi Prefectural Museum of Art
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West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
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Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
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Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
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Awards
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Yamaguchi Prefecture Cultural Achievement Award (2019)
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Award for the 15th Anniversary of the Hagi City Merger
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Excellence Award, Exhibition of Hagi Ceramic Artists
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Encouragement Award, Tanabe Museum Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition
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Yamaguchi Prefecture Educational Merit Award
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Encouragement Award, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
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Encouragement Award (Yamaguchi Governor’s Prize), West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
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Honorable Mention, Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Museum
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Encouragement Award, Yamaguchi Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association
Collections / Media
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Featured on BS Asahi television program Lineage of Technique (2005)
Professional Affiliations
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Full Member, Japan Kōgei Association
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Auditor, Yamaguchi Branch, Japan Kōgei Association
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Director, Hagi Pottery Artists Association
