Japanese potters – I

和泉屋製陶所 Izumiya Pottery Factory

tokoname potteryOne of the oldest bonsai pot makers in Tokoname. The kiln of Matsushita Masuhisa (father) and Matsushita Masuo (son), artists of Tokoname ware. It is commonly known as ” Zenigo,” although it is properly called Izumi-gama. This common name is derived from ” zenigo rin-sei,” which is traditionally used, and was established because the “KO” in the seal script “zeniKO” can be seen as “GO” as well. Incidentally, “zenigo rin-sei” was originally a Chinese inscription from Zhongdu, and it is a remnant of the copying of the inscription when the Chinese copy of the bowl was made before World (more…)

Ito Shinya 伊藤進矢

male Born in Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture Toki Municipal Ceramics Testing Laboratory, Gifu PrefectureTajimi Technical High School, Gifu Prefecture, JapanCompleted Ceramic Science and Art Course, Tajimi Technical High School Koromiya Shrine, Atami City, Shizuoka PrefectureDedicated “Green Glazed Flower Vase, Shizuoka Prefecture Art Festival Award-winning Work” at Koromiya Shrine, Atami City, Shizuoka Prefecture.Exhibited at “Artisans of Tokai”, Nagoya Sakae Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nagoya, JapanExhibited “Crafts of Shizuoka” at Matsuzakaya Department Store, Shizuoka, JapanExhibited ceramics by young artists at Shizuoka Isetan, Shizuoka, Japan.Invited artist for the NIKKOKAI Exhibition, Shizuoka, Japan. (more…)

Irie Mitoshi 入江光人司

1939-malebizen potteryIrie Mitoshi was born in Ibe, Bizen, in 1939 as the eldest son of craftsman Irie Kenji. He is a ceramist specialising in craftwork, which is becoming rare in Bizen. He specialises in small objects such as hohin (teapot) and incense burners. He is not a well-known artist for several reasons, such as his limited output and lack of membership of large associations, but he is well known to lovers of craftwork. (more…)

Ishida Kazuya 石田和也

1986-malebizen potteryBorn in Bizen city, Okayama 2006　 Graduated from Bizen Pottery Centre 2007　 Graduated from Kyoto Pottery Technical Centre 2007-2010 Studied under Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun 2011　 Worked at Kigbeare Pottery (Devon, UK) 2012　 Employed at Whichford Pottery (Cotswold, UK) 2013　 Moved back to Bizen in Japan to build own studio 2015　 London Hatfield Ceramic Show 2015　 Project leader for Oxford Anagama Project 2015　 Built Anagama Anagama kiln at Oxford University2015-2018　Artist Residency at Oxford University 2016-2018　Leading Bizen × Whichford project 2017　 Ceramic Art London 2016　 Artist Residency at Leach Pottery 2018　 UAL: Utsuwautsushi symposium 2018　 Organised Ceramic Art Bizen (more…)

Ishimoto Fujio 石本藤雄

1941-male Born in Tobe-cho, Iyo-gun, Ehime Prefecture1960 Entered the Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. Majored in graphic design.1970 After traveling around the world, moved to Finland and took a job at Dissenbure, an affiliate company of Marimekko.1974: Hired as a textile designer for Marimekko and created many designs.1989 Started making ceramics as a visiting artist in the art department of “Arabia” and continued to make ceramics1994 Awarded the Kai Frank Prize2006 Retired from Marimekko2010 Received the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland2011 Awarded the Order of the Rising (more…)

Iwabuchi Kan 岩渕寛

1974-maleseto potteryBorn in Toyokawa City, Aichi Prefecture1999 Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music, Major in Ceramics2005 Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition, Aichi Prefecture Board of Education Prize　　　 2005 Jury’s Special Prize, International Ceramics Exhibition Mino 05　　　Awarded by Group ANTENNA2006 Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Tokai Traditional Honorable Mention2011 Tokai Contemporary Ceramics “Thinking New Generation” Exhibition, Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum2013 Seto Ceramic Art Now New Age 5 Artists Exhibition, Matsuzakaya Nagoya Art Gallery, Aichi, Japan2015 Made in Aichi, Bridge Exhibition of Crafts, Furukawa Art Museum, Aichi, Japan2017 Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Aichi Prefecture Board of Education Prize (more…)

Imada Takushi 今田拓志

1970-maleBorn in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture1989 Graduated from Hiroshima Prefectural Yasukoichi High School1994 Graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Department of Crafts, majoring in ceramics1996 M.F.A. in Ceramics, Tokyo University of the Arts1997 Began working in Kitahiroshima-cho, Yamagata-gun, Hiroshima2005 Special Lecturer at Hiroshima City University, Faculty of Art, “Material Techniques Seminar” (until 2013)2008 Part-time lecturer at Hiroshima City University, Faculty of Art, “Theory of Materials” (until 2013)Proposed as a member of the Shinsyu Kogei Association2011 Associate Professor, Department of Fine Arts, Junior College of Hijiyama University (to present)2014 Recognized as a regular member of the Japan (more…)

Inoue Kiku 井上菊

1979-female 2002 Six Ceramic Artists Exhibition at Gallery KazeSelected for the Fukuoka Prefecture Art Exhibition (and four more times thereafter)2003 Four Artists Ceramics Exhibition at Muraokaya Gallery2003 Three Artists Exhibition of Ceramics and Dyeing at Muraokaya GallerySelected for the Fukuoka City Art Exhibition.2004 Selected, Tobiume National Art FestivalAwarded the Prefectural Art Association Prize at the 60th Fukuoka Prefecture Art Exhibition.Solo exhibition at Yume-Kobo Baku.2005 Awarded the Asahi Newspaper Prize at the 61st Fukuoka Prefecture Art Exhibition.Nakogama Three Artists Exhibition at Takumi Gallery, Across Fukuoka.2006 Became a member of Fukuoka Prefecture Art Association.Selected for the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (2002-3 (more…)

Inoue Yasunori 井上康徳

1958-malearita porcelainBorn in Arita, Saga Prefecture1981 Graduated from Seikei University, Department of Management EngineeringStudied under his father, Inoue Manji, and began his career as a ceramic artist1983 First prize winner of the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition1990 Became a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association.1982 Exhibited at the Seibu Kogei Exhibition (exhibited thereafter and won two other prizes)1985 Selected for the Kyusyu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition, 10 times, of which 10 were prizewinners.Selected for the Saga Prefecture Art Exhibition, among which he was awarded prizes 5 times in 1998Honorable Mention, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, 2002 (Honorable Mention, Minister of Education, Culture, (more…)

Inoue Ruriko 井上るり子

?-female 1989 Started making ceramics1993 Solo exhibition at Gallery Oishi, Fukuoka ’97 ’031994 Selected for the Fukuoka Prefecture Art Exhibition (18 times since then, ’01 Fukuoka Prefecture Cultural Organization Association Prize, ’12 Koga Mayor Prize)1996 Selected, 16th West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition1996 Selected, 16th West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention, Asia Crafts Exhibition1997 Selected for the 17th Western Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and the 32nd Seibu Kogei Exhibition1998 Built the climbing kiln “Nako-gama”1999 Selected for the 19th Western Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition2000 Selected for the 20th Western Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Selected for the 35th Seibu Kogei Exhibition2001 Selected (more…)

Inoue Yuki 井上祐希

1988-malearita porcelainBorn in Arita-cho, Saga Prefecture2011Tamagawa University Faculty of Art B.A. in Visual Arts, Tamagawa University 2012Studied under his grandfather, Inoue Manji from April Started his career as a ceramic artist Selected for the Saga Prefecture Art Exhibition 2013 Selected, Exhibition of Ceramic Art Selected, Western Traditional Crafts Exhibition Selected, Saga Art Association Exhibition 2014Selected, Saga Art Association Exhibition Selected, Saga Prefecture Art Exhibition 2015Selected, Western Traditional Crafts Exhibition Selected, Exhibition of Ceramic Art Saga Art Association Exhibition, Art Association Prize 2016Selected, Exhibition of Ceramic Art Selected, Western Traditional Crafts Exhibition Selected, Subject Division, Prize 2017Selected, Western Traditional Crafts Exhibition (more…)

Inoue Takumi 井上匠

1981-maleseto potteryBorn in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture2002 Completed the Ceramics Course at Seto Ceramic High School, Aichi, Japan2006 Completed Seto Sometsuke Kogei KanAwarded Encouragement Prize and Excellence Prize at Seto City Art ExhibitionSelected, Seto Sometsuke Public ContestSelected, Tokai Traditional Craft ExhibitionProduced a work for the package design of “Engoro Mochi” at Seto-Shinano Roadside Station.Produced a sake cup for the G20 Aichi/Nagoya Foreign Minister’s Meeting (more…)

Inuyuma Takuya 犬山卓也

？-male2000The 43rd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in ChugokuThe 43rd Chugoku Exhibition of Traditional Crafts of Japan, Shimane Prefecture Governor’s Prize2003The 46th Exhibition of Traditional Japanese Crafts in ChugokuThe 46th Chugoku Exhibition of Traditional Japanese Crafts Sanyo Newspaper Award2008The 51st Exhibition of Traditional Japanese Crafts in ChugokuThe 51st Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Crafts in Chugoku, NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Bureau Director-General’s Prize2022The 65th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in Chugoku RSK Sanyo Broadcasting AwardThe 52nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in ChugokuThe 52nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in Chugoku, Japan Kogei Association Chugoku Branch Director Award (more…)

Idogawa Yutaka 井戸川豊

1964-maleBorn in Tokyo, Japan　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　1991 Completed Master’s program in Ceramics, Department of Crafts, Graduate School of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts　　　　　2015 Awarded the TOKI Oribe Grand Prize (The 8th Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition)Awarded the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Prize (62nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition)2019 Member of the First Jury of the 66th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition2020 Awarded the MOA Art Museum Prize (60th East Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition) (more…)

Ito Nobuo 伊藤信夫

1953-maleBorn in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture 1988 Studied under Takahashi Syogetsu of Tobe Pottery 1992 Awarded the Shikoku Branch Exhibition of the Japan Kogei Association (since then, awarded 6 times) 1999 Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (and five times since) 1999 Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (since then, selected 12 times) 2000 Awarded the Encouragement Prize at the Kagawa Prefecture Art Exhibition (awarded 6 times since then). 2001 Selected for the Choza Prize, Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition (and selected once since then). 2002: Awarded Regular Member of the Japan Kogei Association 2002 Auditor, Shikoku Branch Exhibition of the (more…)

Ito Hidetake 伊藤栄傑

1977-malemumyoi pottery 1977 Born as the first son of Ito Sekisui V 2001 Graduated from Ryukoku University, Department of Philosophy 2005 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (since then, 13 times), Selected for the Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Crafts (since then, 17 times) (currently the East Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition) 2010 Became a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association 2013 Selected for Honorable Mention at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (selected 4 times); Honorable Mention at the Niigata Prefecture Traditional Crafts Exhibition (Regular Member); Exhibited at the Traditional Crafts Exhibition of Outstanding Beauty and Techniques 2014 (more…)

Ito Koyo 伊藤公洋

1965-malemino potteryBorn in Takahama City, Aichi Prefecture1983 Studied under Ando Hidetake (Gifu Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property holder)1994 Became independent and started making pottery in Takahama CitySelected for the Japan Traditional Crafts ExhibitionSelected for the Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition.1996 Solo exhibition (Nagoya Maruei, Aichi. 2001)1998 Solo Exhibition (Nagoya Mitsukoshi Sakae, Aichi)1999 Built a semi-aboveground anagama kiln at “Saruebi”, Asuke-cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan2000 Solo Exhibition (Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Honten / Tokyo. Same, 03, 06, 09, 12, 15, 18 years)Participated in the exhibition “Sencha and Yakimono” at the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum.2002 Solo Exhibition (Toma Shrine / Hokkaido)2007 Exhibited in “The (more…)

Ito Nobuyasu 伊藤順康

1957-maleBorn in Gojozaka, Kyoto1978 Graduated from Kyoto Seika Junior College, majoring in fine arts1979 Studied under Kimura Morikazu1984 Built Ushigoe Kiln1990 First solo exhibition at Fukui City1991 Exhibited at the Japan Traditional Crafts Ishikawa Branch Exhibition1993 Group exhibition at Takashimaya Art Gallery, Kyoto1994 Solo Exhibition at Takashimaya Art Salon, Osaka1995 Exhibited work at “Echizen Yakimono: 800 Years of Echizen Pottery in the U.S.A.”, Takashimaya Art Salon, Osaka1998 Solo Exhibition at Takashimaya Art Salon, OsakaGroup Exhibition at Takashimaya Art Gallery, Kyoto2000 Solo Exhibition at Takashimaya Art Salon, OsakaSolo Exhibition at “Takashimaya Art Gallery”, Tokyo2002 Solo Exhibition at Takashimaya Art Salon, OsakaSolo (more…)

Ito Hideaki 伊藤秀明

1956-malebanko potteryBorn in Yamagata Prefecture1975 Entered Tokyo Craft and Design Institute, Department of Ceramic Crafts1978 Graduated from the same institute and joined the Design Department of Happu Toen Co.1983 Participated in the establishment of the Aigama Kiln1992 Built a kiln in Komono Ceramic Village (more…)

Ito Akira 伊東晃

1967-maleBorn in Narashino City, Chiba Prefecture 1990 Graduated from Ochanomizu College of Art and Design, Department of Textile Design 1993 Studied under Tanimoto Hiroshi of Iga Pottery in Iga City, Mie Prefecture 1996 Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural College of Ceramic Technology, Molding Department　　　　　　Worked at a Kyoto pottery kiln in Sumiyama, Uji City 1998 Established his own pottery in Makino, Oku-Biwako 2003 Selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2003 Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2004 Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition Takashima City Exhibition, No-Judgment 2005 Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition 2005 Selected, (more…)