HAGI, Yamaguchi Pref. -- Few have ventured outside the borders defined by tradition in the more than 400 years this town has been producing its famous pottery, renowned as among the best for use in the Japanese tea ceremony.

In fact, it took a Swede to attempt the first use of colored paints on the brown, rough-textured Hagi pottery, striking a subtle balance between tradition and his own cultural background. His efforts met with success and Bertil Persson is now one of the most popular artists of Hagi ware.

"I can't forget when I first saw the town of Hagi, getting off a train and onto the station platform," said Persson, who has spent nearly three decades of his 57 years in the small town. Before settling in Hagi, Persson worked in Copenhagen as an artisan specializing in colorful miniature illustrations on European porcelain.