Born in 1942, Hatano Zenzō trained in Karatsu and Imari before joining the Shigetsu kiln, a Hagi ware workshop, where he also received guidance from Yoshiga Taihi. He was first selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1977 and was designated a holder of the Intangible Cultural Property of Hagi Ware by Yamaguchi Prefecture in 2002. His work ranges from tea ceramics to contemporary flower vessels.