Japanese potters

Takita Chinkei 滝田椿渓

1853−1932maletokoname potteryStudied under the second generation Inaba Takamichi, and engaged in pottery-making under Matsumoto Hoji in Tōtōmi (now Shizuoka Prefecture). Later, in the western part of Hekikai District in Mikawa (Aichi Prefecture), he started Nishibata ware (a type of Tokoname ware) together with Tejima Shuiji. He was commonly known as Tomijiro. (more…)

Nindosai 任土斎

?-1763maletamamizu pottery The third generation of Tamamizu ware, Nindosai, was known by the name Yahei and also by the art name Katoku. His father was the first generation Yahei, Ichigen (died in 1723), and his brother was the second generation Yahei, Ikku (died in 1720). He took over after his brother passed away at an early age. Like his father and brother, he produced tea bowls in the styles of Chojiro and Koetsu.As the eighth generation of Raku ware potters, Nindosai was proud of his lineage, but he remained unmarried and childless throughout his life, causing the Tamamizu ware bloodline (more…)

Kurosawa Yuichi 黒澤有一

1962-male Born in Chichibu, Saitama1987 Selected for the Yagi Kazuo Prize Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition　　　Selected for the Choza Prize Ceramic Art Exhibition1988 Completed the Tokoname City Ceramic Art Institute　　　Experimentally produced a primitive anagama (Tokoname)1989 Opened a kiln in Sakae-cho, Tokoname1998 Moved his studio to Yoshida-cho, Chichibu, Saitama.Currently lives and works in Chichibu (more…)

Kinjo Toshiyuki 金城敏幸

1959-maletsuboya pottery Born in Tsuboya as Kinjo Toshinori’s second son. He was the last apprentice of Kenjo Jiro. 1982Apprenticed to Kinjo Jiro.1983Exhibited at the Kinjo Jiro Ichimon Kiln Exhibition.1987Awarded the Encouragement Prize at the Oki Exhibition.1989Exhibited at the 3rd Kinjo Jiro Ichimon Kiln Exhibition1993Encouragement Prize at the Contemporary Okinawa Ceramic Art Exhibition (daily-use ceramics section).2006Technical Prize, Contemporary Okinawa Ceramic Art Exhibition (Daily Ceramics Division).2007Encouragement Prize, Contemporary Okinawan Ceramic Art Exhibition (Daily Ceramics Section).2009Independence2009Encouragement Prize, Contemporary Okinawa Ceramic Art Exhibition1998Established the Zakimi Factory in Yomitan Village.1998Awarded Encouragement Prize at the Contemporary Okinawan Ceramic Art Exhibition (daily use ceramics section).2000Encouragement Prize at (more…)

Hatano Hideo 波多野英生

1971-malehagi potteryBorn in Hagi1996 Graduated from Tama Art University as a sculptor2001 First prize in Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition2003 Awarded Saga Television Prize, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition2004 Selected for the Tabe Museum of Art “Formative Exhibition of Tea Ceremony” (05,06,07,08,09)Recognized as a regular member of the Japan Crafts Association.2005 Selected, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition2006 Awarded “Japan Crafts Association Yamaguchi Branch Director Prize” at the Japan Crafts Association Yamaguchi Branch New Works ExhibitionAwarded “Nihon Keizai Shimbun Award” at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Craft Exhibition.2009 Silver Prize, Otaki Hokkaido Ceramic Art Exhibition2012 Awarded the Shimonoseki Daimaru Prize at the Japan Crafts Association Yamaguchi Branch New (more…)

Yura Kaoruko 由良薫子

1993-femalekutani porcelain 1993 Born in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan2015 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture2018 Graduated from Tajimi City Institute of Ceramic Design2019 Joined Utatsuyama Craft Studio, Kanazawa Solo Exhibitions2020 “Kaoruko Yura Ceramic Netsuke Exhibition: Catching the Wild” Gallery Hanakagesho/Nezu Netsuke Shop, Nezu, Tokyo2021 “Kaoruko Yura Pottery Exhibition: Something is there,” Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Art Crafts Salon, Tokyo　　　 Kaoruko Yura Exhibition, Gallery “Space” in Ichinokura Sakazuki Art Museum (Tajimi, Gifu)2022 “Kaoruko Yura Ceramic Netsuke Exhibition: Looking at Life,” Gallery Hanakagesho, Netsu Netsuke Shop (Netsu, Tokyo) (more…)

Kaneshige Iwao 金重巌

1965-malebizen pottery Born in Okayama, Studied under his father, Michiaki Kaneshige1995 Became independentExhibited at Shibuya Kuroda Toen “Exhibition of Kaneshige Michiaki and His FamiliesHad a solo exhibition at Okayama Gallery Midori-en2003 Solo exhibition at Shibuya Kuroda Pottery2004 Kanashige Yuho and Gan two-person exhibition at Gallery Bunkindo2007 Had a solo exhibition at Okayama Tenmaya Department Store.2008 Solo exhibition at Shibiya Kuroda Pottery2010 Solo Exhibition at Shibiya Kuroda Pottery (more…)

Hamada Atsushi 浜田敦士

1985-maleoribe pottery Born in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture2008 Completed Tajimi Technical High School Major Course2014 The 20th Mino Ceramics Shoroku Award, Tea Ceremony, Shoroku Prize2018 The 11th Contemporary Tea Ceramic Exhibition, Encouragement Prize (more…)

Mizutani Wataru 水谷渉

1975-malekaratsu pottery Born in Aichi, Japan1990 Began making ceramics1994 Trained in Karatsu1996 Studied under Koie Ryoji2000 Built a kiln in Hida Takayama, Gifu Prefecture2011 Moved to Matsue City, Shimane Prefecture2016 Began making pottery in Karatsu (more…)

Kaguraoka Bunzan 神楽岡文山

late edo periodoraku potteryKaguraoka Bunzan was a potter from Okazaki Village, Yamashiro Province, who lived around Bunka-Bunsei (1804-1830). Although details are not known, Bunzan is a pseudonym. He specialized in Raku ware and produced many tea bowls and vases. He was a potter known for his skillful imitations of Raku Ichiryu and Raku Sonyu, in particular. Bunzan’s ceramics are known for his exquisite techniques and beautiful designs and still have many admirers today. Another Kaguraoka potter named Kaguraoka Tokunyu was active around the Man’en period (1860-1861), and some sources claim that this person was another name for Bunzan. (more…)

Ogawara Torakichi 小河原虎吉

1902-1972malehashima pottery Hashima-yaki is a ceramic ware fired in the suburbs of Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture.Ogawara Torakichi (1902-1972) founded the kiln.Many of the pieces were produced with daily necessities in mind, and are known for their design, which avoids unnecessary ornamentation and technicalities. Ogawara Torakichi, a craftsman of Sakatsu ware and known as a master of the wheel, opened a kiln in Hashima, Kurashiki City, with the support of industrialist Ohara Soichiro and others.Hashima ware is made with the aim of being used in daily life and is characterised by its simplicity and calm atmosphere.After Torakichi died, his third daughter (more…)

Takeuchi Seijiro 武内晴二郎

1921-1979maleBorn in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture. His father was the first director of the Ohara Museum of Art in Kurashiki, and Seijiro grew up with art and art from an early age. He went on to study at the Faculty of Economics at Chuo University, but was mobilised as a student and enlisted in the army. He lost his left arm in China, but after being demobilised he began making pottery in his home town of Kurashiki and built his own kiln in 1960. Influenced by the leading figures of the craft movement, such as Yanagi Soetsu, Hamada Shoji and Kawai (more…)

Shimabukuro Jomei 島袋常明

1925-2020maletsuboya potteryBorn in Naha, Okinawa.Joined Aragaki Pottery upon graduation from primary school and studied under Aragaki Eitoku.1949 Studied under Eisho Kobashigawa.1951 Recognised as a traditional craftsman.1958 Repeatedly selected for the Oki Exhibition.1986 Awarded Medal with Yellow Ribbon.1994 Awarded the Grand Prize at the Okinawa Times Art Award.1999 Featured on NHK’s ‘Exploring Pottery’.2001 Awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 6th class.For more than 60 years in Tsuboya, he has continued to produce pottery with an Egyptian pattern of sgraffito, which is in the tradition of Ryukyu classical pottery. (more…)

Sudo Satoshi 須藤訓史

1976-malekasama pottery 1976 Born in Shimodate City (now Chikusei City), Ibaraki Prefecture2001 Studied under Kikuchi Hiroshi2004 Graduated from Ibaraki Prefectural Ceramics Training Institute, Moulding 1 CourseStudied under Ito Motohiko.2009 Selected, Japan Traditional Craft ExhibitionSelected, Kikuchi Biennale2014 Selected, International Ceramics Festival MinoContemporary and Ceramic Phenomenon (Ibaraki Prefectural Ceramic Museum)2015 Selected, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, JapanEast Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Encouragement Prize.Awarded Excellence Prize (Ibaraki Kotsu Prize), Ceramic Beauty Exhibition2009 Alethee Fistival　 (Musee de la Cernuschi, Paris) (more…)

Okabe Takaneri 岡部享憲

1951-malebizen pottery1973 Joined kiln “Toshoen” as a potter1977 Joined the kiln “Kibido” as a potter1994 Opened his own kiln in Yoshinaga-cho, Bizen City2009 Solo exhibition at Gallery Hikari every year. (more…)

Obayashi Gozan 大林五山

1905-?maleraku potteryBorn 28 October 1905 in Mure, Kida County.He was posted to Kaminishi Junior High School in Shioe Town in 1947, started pottery in Shioe around 1955 and retired in March 1960,Devoted himself to pottery. He was based in the pottery club of Takamatsu Citizen’s School and taught amateur potters throughout the prefecture. Gozan specialised in raku ware from the position of instructing beginners, and concentrated on firing utensils for the tea ceremony.He opened a kiln in Kaminishi Yakudo, Shionoe Town, and his pottery was called ‘Shionoe-yaki’ and his name ‘Doya’. Later, he opened the ‘Yakuri Kiln’ in his native (more…)

Okishio Haruki 沖塩明樹

?-2002male1948 Studied under Ogawara Torakichi, who was described by Shoji Hamada as “the best wheel grinder in Japan”.1953 Trained at the Tamba Tachikake Kiln, during which time he also attended the kiln of Kawai Kanjiro.1957 Became head of the crafts department at Tobe-yuko company.1960 Involved in the founding of the Sakatsu Tsutsumi Kiln, working as an assistant.1964 Opened the Kurashiki Minato Kiln in Sakatsu, Kurashiki City.1983 Opened the Kanpu-haruki Kiln in Ushimado Town, Setouchi City, where Sue ware was produced in the 8th century.2001 Kurashiki Folk Art Museum publishes ‘The Work of Okishio Haruki’.2002 Passed away. (more…)

Mizuno Shuso 水野秋艸

1955-malemino potterykyo potteryReal name is Mizuno Kenichiro. Graduated from Ritsumeikan University in 1977. Begins to make ceramics under his father, Mizuno Shuso. After his father’s death, he began making ceramics mainly in the Kenzan style. (more…)

Asamoto Kakuzan 浅本鶴山

1885-1957male Born in Tsuyama, he became a foster child of Fusakichi Asamoto (née Sugisaki), who had opened a kiln in Hayashida, at the age of two. When he was just 13 years old, around the time he graduated from school, his father Fusakichi, who had moved to a kiln in Ninomiya, Tsuyama City at the time, taught him how to use the potter’s wheel. Thereafter, he went to Awaji to train at Minpei Pottery, and then to Izushi in Hyogo Prefecture.Prefecture, followed by Ibe, Asagiri Pottery in Akashi, and Inami, one after another, all with a potter’s wheel on his (more…)

Ota Atsushi 太田篤

1954-malebizen potteryBorn in Setouchi City. Younger brother of Bizen Pottery artist Ota Tomio. After completing his studies at the Bizen Ceramic Center, he built his own kiln and became independent. He has won many prizes at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and other exhibitions. (more…)