Japanese potters – O

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…)

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…)

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…)

Ogata Kozue 小形こず恵

1974-femaleBorn in Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture2000 Completed the graduate school of Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, majoring in ceramics, with the graduation work “Blue and White Tea Vessels” purchased by the university.2001 After training at the Seto Sometsuke Kogei Kan, built a kiln in Fujieda City, Shizuoka Prefecture2012: Selected for the Fujieda City Commendation Souvenir2021: “Morning Glory”, Sometsuke Vase, purchased by the Imperial Household Agency at the 68th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (more…)

Ogawa Tokusai 小川得斎

1785－1865maleshigaraki potteryA potter of the late Edo period. Produced Shigaraki ware in his hometown of Shigaraki, Omi (Shiga Prefecture) during the Bunka-Bunsei period (1804-30). In 1830, he moved to Ueno in Iga (Mie Prefecture) and made copies of old Iga pottery. (more…)

Okamoto Marumi 奥本丸味

malebizen pottery 1998 Encouragement Prize, Chanoyu no Zokei Exhibition2001 Recognized as a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association2010 TOKI Grand Prize, Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition (more…)

Ogawa Kozo 小川弘藏

1981-malebizen potteryBorn in Ibe, Bizen City2011 Started making ceramics2015 Exhibited as DAIKURA at the world’s largest trade fair “Ambiente” in Frankfurt, Germany2016 Collaboration work with a designer (hiiro)2016 Exhibited at Ambiente2017 Exhibited at Ambiente, hiiro was selected as one of the “Trends” products that symbolize the trends of the year. (more…)

Okayasu Koshu 岡安廣宗

1955-malebizen potteryBorn in Kume Minami-cho, Kume-gun1975 Studied under Yamamoto Tohshu (Living National Treasure)1994 Certified as a regular member of the Japan Art Crafts Association1998 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nihonbashi, Tokyo1999 Solo exhibition at Hankyu Osaka Umeda main store2000 Solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store2001 Solo exhibition at Nagano International GallerySelected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, 2002Exhibited at the Next Generation of Bizen Artists at Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nihonbashi, Tokyo.Solo Exhibition at Mitsukoshi Kurashiki Store, TokyoSolo Exhibition at Mitsukoshi Takamatsu Store, Takamatsu, Japan.Selected for the Chanoyu Zokei Exhibition, 20032004 Solo Exhibition at Nagoya Mitsukoshi Sakae Main Store2005 (more…)

Omori Hiroaki 大森宏明

1969-malebizen potteryBorn in Ibe, Bizen City1990 Graduated from Kyoto Saga Art College, Department of Ceramics1992 Returned to his hometown and studied under his father, Teruhiko1996 Opened his first kiln2000 Selected for the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition (6 times)2001 Selected for the Chugoku Branch Exhibition of Japan Traditional Crafts (7 times)2003 Takashimaya Prize, Bizen Toshinkai Exhibition2004 Encouragement Prize, Okayama Prefectural Exhibition2005 Selected for the Tabe Chanoyu no Zokei Exhibition (and 4 more times)2006 Encouragement Prize, Tabe Chanoyu no Zokei Exhibition (and once more) (more…)

Oishibashi Hiroki 大石橋宏樹

1973-malebizen potteryBorn in Musashino City, Tokyo.Graduated from Teikyo University, Faculty of Law in 1998.Became apprentice to the late Bizen Pottery Living National Treasure, Fujiwara Yu’s eldest son, Kazu.April 2006 Participated in a one-month training program in Korea as a GSE member of Rotary Club International District 2690.2007 Independently built an above-ground climbing kiln.2008 Appointed as a part-time instructor at Kibi Kogen High School (ceramics course)2009 Appointed as a pottery instructor at Keimei Gakuin Junior & Senior High School, MaejimaBuilt Anagama Kiln in Maejima CampAdopted as a commemorative gift for the winners of the 37th Fuji Sankei ClassicReceived “Vocational Service Award” (more…)

Oe Toshihide 大饗利秀

1969-malebizen potteryBorn in the Bizen Pottery “Oe” family of six surnames.2006 Completed training as a ceramics technician at the Bizen Ceramic Center2008 NHK Okayama Bureau Chief Prize, Bizen Toushinkai Exhibition2013 Beer Bowl Grand Prix Gold Grand Prix2014 Appointed as the president of the Young Men’s Division of the Bizen Pottery Toyukai (1 year term) (more…)

Obata Yuji 小畑裕司

1961-malearita porcelainBorn in Arita Town1984 Graduated from Aoyama Gakuin University, Faculty of Law1987 Graduated from Saga Prefectural Arita Ceramic College, Department of Manufacturing Currently, he is the second generation owner of Jingama kiln.Although he is descended from Kakiemon, Obata has carved out his own unique path without following a specific master, and he does everything himself, from kiln turning and firing to painting. Obata creates distinctive colors, especially “Obata Pink,” a cherry blossom color created using ” Shoenji”, a high-fired pigment that contains gold and produces a reddish-red color. Cherry blossoms, Obata’s main motif, are painted with an extremely fine (more…)

Ono Tatsuro 小野達郎

1949-malearita porcelain He is a relative of Ms. Ono Hakuko, an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Saga Prefecture.He was attracted by the charm of gold brocade, and created porcelain named “Hakuyui” using various colored foils. Born in Ureshino-cho, Saga Prefecture1973Joined Kozam-gama Kiln2003Selected, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics ExhibitionPrize, Saga Art Association ExhibitionSelected, Saga Prefecture Art Exhibition2004Selected, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics ExhibitionAwarded a prize at the Saga Art Association ExhibitionGovernor’s Prize, Saga Prefecture Art ExhibitionSelected, National Traditional Crafts Competition2005First Prize, Saga Prefecture Art Association ExhibitionSelected, Saga Prefecture Art Exhibition2006Selected, Western Crafts ExhibitionSelected, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics ExhibitionSelected, Saga Prefecture Art Association ExhibitionBoard of Education Prize, Saga Prefecture Art (more…)

Ono Takaharu 小野隆治

1953-malearita porcelainBorn in Ureshino-cho, Saga Prefecture1980Joined Kozan-gama Kiln1984Awarded the Governor’s Prize and six other prizes at the 4th West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition.First prize winner of the 34th Saga Prefectural Exhibition, and three times awarded the Governor’s Prize and other prizes, and the Nagatake Takeshi Prize.Awarded the Minister’s Prize three times and other prizes twelve times after being selected for the 81st Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition.First prize winner of the 19th Western Exhibition of the Japan Kogei Association, and since then, has won the Silver Prize and other awards four times.1987Selected for the 34th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, 16th Encouragement Prize1993Certified (more…)

Onimaru Takayuki 鬼丸尚幸

1977-malekoishiwara potteryBorn in Koishiwara Village, Asakura County, Fukuoka Prefecture (present-day Higashimine Village)1999Entered Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts2003Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Ataka Prize2005M.F.A. in Ceramics, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, The Salon de Printemps Prize, for the completion of the master course “Blue and White Porcelain Vase with Kumazasa Carving Design”.Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts New Works ExhibitionEntered the doctoral program of the Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts2008Doctoral dissertation, “Research on the Production of Blue and White Porcelain with Carved Designs,” awarded Doctor of (more…)

Onimaru Omei 鬼丸翁明

1940-malekoishiwara potteryBorn in Koishiwara Village (present-day Higashimine Village), Asakura County, Fukuoka Prefecture1983Opened the Omei Kiln1985Chairman’s Prize, Japan Broadcasting Corporation of America, Japan Folk Crafts Competition1986Award of Excellence, Japan Folk Art Competition1987Fukuoka Prefecture Governor’s Prize, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition1988Award of Excellence, Japan Folk Art Competition1989Award of Excellence, Japan Folk Art CompetitionKoishiwara Pottery Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Fukuoka Prefecture Traditional Crafts Council Chairman’s Award1990Director’s Prize, Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Japan Folk Crafts ExhibitionKoishiwara Pottery Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Fukuoka Prefecture Traditional Crafts Council Chairman’s Award1991National Crafts Exhibition, Director-General’s Prize of the Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Consumer AffairsMinister of International Trade and (more…)

Ota Tomitaka 太田富隆

1969-malekoishiwara potteryBorn in Higashimine Village (formerly Koishiwara), Fukuoka Prefecture1988Graduated from Saga Prefectural Arita Technical High School, Ceramics Department1990Graduated from Saga Prefectural Arita Ceramic CollegeWorked at Maruwa KilnSilver Prize at the ’90 International Ceramic Art Exhibition1991Moved to the U.S. in April and apprenticed with Rick and Mark for six months.1994Okinawa Prefecture Governor’s Prize, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition1995July: Traveled to the U.K. to follow in the footsteps of the late Bernard Leach1996Minister of Education Prize, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition1997Nagasaki Ceramics Exhibition, First Prize, Nagasaki Prefectural Governor’s PrizeFukuoka Prefecture Governor’s Prize, West Japan Ceramic Art ExhibitionSelected, Japan Traditional Crafts ExhibitionMinister of (more…)

Ogushi Hidenori 大串秀則

1959-malearita porcelain1979Learned to paint at the Saga Prefectural Ceramic Experiment Station1980Joined Daishugama kiln1981Studied under Nakamura Seiroku1985Selected for the Kyushu Shinko ExhibitionSelected, Seibu Kogei Exhibition1995Certified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of International Trade and Industry1998Selected, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics ExhibitionSelected, Saga Prefectural Exhibition1999Nihon Keizai Newspaper Award, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic ExhibitionSelected, Japan Traditional Craftsmen’s Association Works Exhibition (more…)