Japanese potters – I

Ikeda Shogo 池田省吾

1976-maleBorn in Kagoshima, Japan1996 Graduated from Nippon Designer Gakuin Built a snake kiln and anagama kiln in Nishinoomote City, Tanegashima Island, and became independent. Produced Namban-yakijime, Oribe and Kohiki works.1998 Graduated from Kagoshima Prefectural Industrial Technology Center, Department of Ceramics1999 Graduated from Arita Ceramic University2008 He has had a solo exhibition every year at Flaming Fields in Tokyo. (more…)

Ikura Takashi 猪倉髙志

1962-maleBorn in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture1989 Completed Tajimi City Institute of Ceramic Design (Graduation Work Exhibition, Graduation Work Prize)1991 Showa Bridge Monument (Tajimi City)1991 Showa Bridge Monument (Tajimi City) 1992 Ohora River Revetment Ceramic Wall (East side of Tajimi City General Gymnasium) 1987 Selected, The 31st Ceramic Design Competition1989 Selected, Japan Craft Exhibition1990 Selected, Asahi Contemporary Craft Exhibition2001 Selected, Takaoka Craft Competition2002 Selected, Beer-Mag Exhibition2011 Selected, 4th Kikuchi Biennial ExhibitionSelected, 21st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, ’05 18th, ’07 19th, ’09 20th (more…)

Iguchi Daisuke 井口大輔

1975-maleBorn in Tochigi Prefecture 1998 Graduated from Tohoku University of Art & Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Ceramics 1999 Completed a research course at the Tochigi Prefectural Institute of Ceramics, under Uraguchi Masayuki 2002 Selected for the 4th Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition (and many times since) 2004 Built a kiln in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture. 2007 Selected for the 47th East Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition (and many times since) 2008 Judge’s Special Prize, 7th Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition 2011 Selected, 58th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (61st selection) 2012 Selected, “Contemporary of Chanoyu”, Kikuchi Museum, Tokyo, Japan 2013 Exhibited (more…)

Inoue Motozo 4th 四代 井上素三

1950-2019tokoname potteryHe had a pen name “Fushiki-an”. He was the fourth generation of a famous family that has been involved in making teapots for generations in Tokoname, a town of pottery. After graduating from a technical high school, he became an office worker, but started making pottery at the age of 25.His father, the third generation (1917-1992), began to make distinctive pieces such as bottoms for drinking water and teapots with dolls inside, and the fourth generation followed his father’s style to create unique pieces.Motozo IV was the first to sculpt even the mouth of a teapot, and his uniqueness (more…)

Imai Makimasa 今井眞正

1961-maleBorn in Kyoto as son of Imai Masayuki.1986 Graduated from Tokyo University of The Fine Arts, sculpture section.Received KUME –KEIICHIRO memorial prize2002 Received the prize for the outstanding arts new comer of Kyoto city.2010 Joined “Japonais Moderne (Modern Japan)” held under the auspice of the France NationalFine-Arts Society at Carrousel de Louvre, ( Paris, France.)2011 China Kaolin International Ceramic art Contest (Jingdezhen, China)2013 “Kyoto KERAMIK”, (Handworks kammer zu Koln, Germany)The Exhibition “Art of KOGEI, Spilit of Kyoto 2013” (Vietnam Fine Art Museum, Hanoi)2014 “Beaute de la ceramique Kyo-yaki” (Maison de la culture du Japon, Paris, France)2015 The RIMPA School 400th (more…)

Ichikawa Toru 市川透

1973-malebizen potteryBorn in Tokyo.2011 Studied under ceramic artist Ochizaki Ryuichi.2015 Became independent in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture. (more…)

Ide Seito, Ltd. 井出製陶株式会社

Ide Zentaro (male, 1898-1929)His grandfather, Zen’ emon, and his father, Mataemon, were also pottery dealers, so in 1897, at the age of 19, Zentaro took over the family business, Kyuryudo studio, and opened a branch in Kanazawa the following year.　In 1900, he established Kutani Ceramics, Ltd. (Kutani-Tojiki, Ltd.)　In 1903, he established a branch office in Kobe for the purpose of export.　In 1906, in order to improve on the primitive method of making Kutani ware clay, he established the Kutani Raw Stone Crushing Company in Terai with Wataya Heibei, Ishizaki Shigeru and others, and began manufacturing Kutani ware clay using a (more…)

Ikura Kotaro 井倉幸太郎

1979-maleBorn in Yagyu, the eldest son of a Yagyu potter. 2002 Graduated from Osaka University of Arts, Department of Crafts, Ceramics Course. Studied under Fujiwara Tsunenori. Became an instructor at a pottery school (left in 2005). 2005 Began pottery making activities in Yagyu. Currently produces blue and white porcelain, and is active in solo exhibitions as the fourth generation of the Yagyu pottery family. Exhibitions and Awards2010 The 61st Nara Prefectural Art Exhibition, Grand Prize. 2011 Selected for the 41st Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition. Selected, 9th International Ceramics Exhibition Mino, Japan. Selected, The 58th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. (more…)

Inoue Takeshi 井上武

1931-?malebizen potteryBorn in Bizen City. After graduating from the Bizen Ceramics Center, he built a kiln and became independent. Won prizes at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and others. (more…)

Ito Sekisui 伊藤赤水

1838-1872malemunyoi potteryReal name was Tomitaro. In 1857, assumed the artist name of Sekisui and used the soil from Aikawa, Sado (Mumyoi ware) to improve the Raku ware started by Ito Jinpei from the head family. Founded Sekisui ware by making tea sets and sake cups using shidei techniques. Passed away at the age of 35.From the Meiji era on, the 2nd generation Kenzo and the 3rd generation Kotaro succeeded Sekisui ware. Inlay work and other techniques were added during this process to make improvements. The 5th generation Ito Sekisui is the holder of an important intangible cultural asset. (more…)

Ito Tadatsugu 伊藤忠次

1935-maleStudied ceramics at the West Japan Ceramic Club and started Annoki kiln in Fukuyama in 1977. Was mainly active in the Kofukai and Nitten Exhibition since then. (more…)

Iwata Suzukichi 岩田錫吉

Late Edo Period-maleA ceramic painter from Nagoya who took charge of painting the pottery exhibited by the Aichi Prefectural Government at the 1st National Industrial Exhibition. (more…)

Ikenishi Tsuyoshi 池西剛

1961-maleResearched the appeal of ancient kilns in Korea, China, and Japan through independent study and was influenced by Abe Anjin. Started a 5-chambered climbing kiln in Imabari, Ehime at the age of 33. Created Ido ware, Karatsu ware, and Kizeto ware.Has held private exhibitions at Gallery Aoyama every year since 2005 and is receiving attention as a potter with high hopes for future activities. (more…)

Iriyama Kainosuke 圦山開之助

Late Edo Period-Meiji EramaleStudied Kyo ware as a youth and started making ceramics in Seta, Omi and Takasu, Mino. Started making copies of Kiyomizu ware in Kuwana in 1845. Moved to Yotsuya, Yokkaichi in 1859 to create Banko ware using a potter’s wheel or a mold in his main kiln and non-main kiln. His works were exhibited at the 1st and 2nd National Industrial Exhibition, and records remain that he received a Certificate of Merit. www.bunka.pref.mie.lg.jp三重県総合博物館/資料詳細/草花文急須 杁山開之助 (more…)

Isezaki Koichiro 伊勢崎晃一朗

1974-malebizen potteryBorn as the 1st son of Isezaki Jun, the living national treasure from Bizen. Graduated from the Faculty of Sculpting at Tokyo Zokei University in 1996. Traveled to the United States in 1998 and studied under the potter Jeff Shapiro in New York. Studied under his father after returning to Japan.Selected for the first time for the Modern Tea Forms Exhibition hosted by Tanabe Museum of Art in 2003. Held a private exhibition in Kuroda Gallery in Ginza the following year. Then received the Okayama Broadcasting Award at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Chugoku Branch Exhibition. (more…)

Ito Shoho 2nd 二代 伊藤昇峰

1959-kyo potteryFrom the Shoho kiln. The 2nd generation studied under the 1st generation Shoho in Kiyomizu, Kyoto and succeeded the kiln in 1989. Then was selected for the Kyoto Traditional Industrial Technician Exhibition. Held a private exhibition in Paris in 1994. Won the Kyoto Mayor’s Award at the Seiyokai Exhibition in 2009. Works focus on porcelain. (more…)

Inoue Togen 井上陶源

Late Edo Period-maledaishoji imariProduced Daishoji Imari ware, which had the purpose of mass-producing Kutani ware, from the Meiji to Showa eras. Started Inoue Shoten, which was central to its production and distribution, in 1877. Asked the masters Takenouchi Ginshu and Asai Ichigo to paint the works and spiritedly engaged in commerce, with a focus on the Keihanshin region.Currently the latest generation produces works at Daishoji. He gives historic Kutani ware, such as aode, red paintings, and gold glaze, a modern style and is popular among Kaiseki restaurants also. (more…)

Ishida Heizo 石田平蔵

1844-1892makekutani porcelainStudied under his adoptive father Kitaichiya Heikichi and made Aode-Kutani ware. Created a business organization with Matsumoto Sahei and others in 1882. Exhibited a deep Aode Kutani pot at the Textile, Ceramic, and Japanese Lacquer Promotion Society and won the 5th Place and Honorable Mention Awards. Exhibited a flower vase at the National Industrial Exhibition in 1890. (more…)

Inoue Ennen 井上延年

1842-1914maleA potter from Seto in the Meiji era and the father of the 3rd generation Shofu Kajo. A master of the potter’s wheel who even conducted a potter’s wheel demonstration during the Aichi Expo in 1874. Presented a method of preparing pure Dehua porcelain together with the 6th generation Kawamoto Hansuke to the Department of Agriculture. Created copies of Chinese zaffre glazes as tea sets and left masterpieces. Was also invited as a model artisan by the present-day Faculty of Ceramics at Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1900. (more…)

Ishiguro Koko 石黒香々

Early Meiji Eramalesumida potteryWorked as a potter under the 1st generation Inoue Ryosai of Sumida ware. Later became independent in Kameido, Tokyo with Koko ware.Exhibited at the National Ceramic Industry Promotion Society in 1901. Exhibited the 500 Arhats at St. Louis Expo in 1904. (more…)