Japanese potters – I

Ikuta Kazutaka 生田和孝

1927-1982maletamba potterySought to be a potter in 1947 and received instruction from Kawai Takekazu from Fujihira kiln in Kyoto. Also apprenticed under Kawai Kanjiro in 1951 and studied folk ceramic crafts. Returned home temporarily in 1955 but moved to Konda, Hyogo the following year to study Tamba ware techniques under Ichino Toshio. Started a Tamba-style climbing kiln in 1959.Later established a style by adding folk craft arrangements to the base of Tamba ware. Stood out for use of Nuka-yu glaze and Ame-yu glaze with warm colors.Main awards received include the Minister of Education’s Award at the Japan Ceramic Exhibition for (more…)

Imaizumi Imaemon 11st 十一代 今泉今右衛門

1873-1948malearita porcelainNabeshima porcelainSucceeded the 10th generation Imaemon in 1927 and became the 11th generation.Excelled at painting and succeeded in establishing a range of works that were on par with antiques from the Edo period by pursuing the restoration and modeling of colored Nabeshima ware and Ko-Imari ware in addition to the red painting techniques used through the 10th generation. Created the foundation for the restored techniques of colored Nabeshima ware used by the present Imaemon. Upon the enthronement of King George VI of the United Kingdom in 1937, received the honor of producing the gift for Lord Drummond at the (more…)

Inoue Shunpo 2nd 二代 井上春峰

1928-1997femalekyo potteryBorn as the 1st daughter of the 1st generation Inoue Shunpo, who moved from Seto to Kyoto during the Taisho era, started a kiln at the foot of Amidagamine Mountain, and used advanced techniques of blue and white porcelain and red paintings to mainly create tea things for green tea. Studied under the 1st generation and inherited the techniques. Became the 2nd generation when the 1st generation passed away in 1969. Submitted a work for the time capsule during the Osaka Expo in 1970.Excelled at the production of tea things for green tea as the potter of Obaku based (more…)

Ino Shukuho 3rd 三代 井野祝峯

1943-maleAfter graduating from university, worked to manufacture special ceramics in Nagoya. Later returned to Kyoto and started making bonsai pots under the guidance of his father, the 2nd generation Shukuho. After his father passed away in 1980, started making ceramics based on his independent research and became the 3rd generation Shukuho. Made masterpieces in copies of Japanese pots and Chinese pots using blue and white ceramics, yellow glazes, blue drop glazes, Oribe ware, and lapis lazuli. (more…)

Ijichi Jinro 5th 五代 伊地知仁郎

1947-malekyo potteryThe 5th generation of a family that has worked in Kiyomizu ware for generation after generation.Works focus on Kiyomizu ware floral vessels, jars, pots, and dishes using celadon and painted porcelain. (more…)

Iwatake Toshikazu 岩竹俊和

1957-maleBorn as the 1st son of Iwatake Chikuraku, the Kiyomizu ware potter in Kyoto, and produced works under his father’s guidance after graduating from junior college.Exhibited at the Nitten Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Fine Art Exhibition, Japan New Craft Art Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, All Kansai Fine Art Exhibition, Mino International Ceramic Festival, and other exhibitions. (more…)

Ikeda Monpei 池田門平

Late Edo Period-Meiji EramaleAlthough his dates of birth and death are unknown, the 1st generation Ikeda Monpei was a potter who started a kiln near Seta no Karahashi Bridge in Omi Province around the Bakumatsu and created Raku ware. It is said that he added paintings of Karahashi Bridge to tea sets, sake sets, and various containers and called them Seta ware (Seta Monpei ware). Once the Meiji era began, the 2nd generation Monpei gathered artisans and fired general earthenware in addition to Raku ware to expand the scale. (more…)

Ide Michiru 井手みちる

1947-femaleAfter graduating from Joshibi University of Art and Design in 1970, trained at a kiln in Mashiko. Started a 5-chambered climbing kiln named Fudo kiln in Ureshino, Fujitsu, Saga in 1972 and became independent. Later started a cellar kiln in 1981 and a half-cylindrical multi-chambered climbing kiln in 1988.Her wide variety of works mainly focus on tea bowls, tableware, floral vessels, water droppers, and large sake cups using high-fired unglazed ceramic, white slip ware, inlay, and blue and white ceramic techniques. Her activities focus on private exhibitions. (more…)

Ishino Ryuzan 2nd 二代 石野竜山

1890-1936malekutani porcelainBorn as the son of the 1st generation Ishino Ryuzan. Received instruction from his father for colored paintings and also assisted production at his father’s studio as an artisan.After the death of the 1st generation, became the 2nd generation Ryuzan to explore new techniques for amber glazes, in addition to making painted works. (more…)

Ishiyama Shun 石山駿

1941-maleAfter graduating from the Faculty of Sculptures at Kyoto University of Arts, worked as a high school teacher and continued to make ceramics on the side.Has a field of work of modern art, including objects and forms. (more…)

Iwanami Gyokuzan 岩波玉山

Late Edo Period-Meiji Erakutani porcelainA Kutani ware painter from Kanazawa in the early Meiji era.Was known as a master of painting ceramics and overglazes and is said to have worked at Minzan kiln and Abe Omi’s kiln.First created flower bases, plates, and other works, with a focus on tea sets for green tea, with Miyamoto kiln-style red paintings. Later made flower vases, jars, tableware, and other mostly porcelain works with highly colorful Western-style designs to be exported. Created masterpieces. (more…)

Isoyu 磯游

1917-?fukakusa potteryWon the Minister of Education’s Honorable Mention Award, National Ceramic Exhibition Special Selection, and other awards. Also selected for the Nitten Exhibition, Modern Craft Art Exhibition, and Kofukai Exhibition.Held group and private exhibitions as a member of the Dogama Group. Visited Korea for ceramic cultural exchange.Started Kashio kiln in Kawaguchi, Saitama and focused on Fukakusa ware tea bowls. (more…)

Ichikawa Taishu 市川苔洲

1897-1971maleBorn to a family that sells lumber in Takasaki, Gunma. Moved to Tokyo in 1925 and started a kiln named Taishuen near Shinobazu Pond to begin making ceramics. Later took on the artist name of Ichikawa Taishu and made flower vases, sculptures, and art pieces, which he presented at the Shirokiya department store and other venues.Began to specialize in making bonsai pots around 1931. Received instruction from Itaya Hazan, the Imperial Art Expert, around this time and fired masterpiece pots one after another. (more…)

Ishihara Shoji 石原祥嗣

1943-maleStarted a kiln in 1981 and exhibited at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, West Japan Ceramic Exhibition, Fukuoka Prefectural Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Won many awards and held private exhibitions at local galleries, the Green Gallery in Minamiaoyama, the Seibu Department Store in Yurakucho, and other venues. Made works with sgraffito and bluish white glazes. Works on porcelain with hazy mud glazes and silver glazes in recent years and has an elegant range of works. (more…)

Iwane Jinensai 岩根自然斎

1821-1873malekoto porcelainWas from Toriimoto-juku station of the Nakasendo and operated an inn as his main business. Formed the Koto ware trade guild in 1856 together with Kenyu, Sekisui, Tokoyama, and other ceramic painters with the approval of the Hikone Domain. Purchased base ceramics from the domain, painted these works, and sold them along the Nakasendo, mainly to travelers.In addition, although ceramic painters belonging to domain kilns were not allowed to add their own signatures, JInensai and others in civic kilns were allowed to add their own signatures. Signatures of Koto JInensai, Jinensai Ceramics, and Made by Jinen can be seen. (more…)

Ishimoto Gyokai 石本暁海

1888-1935maleBorn in the family of a woodworker. After graduating from the Kyoto Institute of Design, went to Tokyo and studied under Yonehara Unkai, who was from the same province.Selected for the first time for the 6th Bunten Exhibition in 1912 and was repeatedly selected for the Bunten and Teiten Exhibitions thereafter. Achieved success to the point of becoming exempt from appraisal at the Teiten Exhibition in 1931.Completed the Matsudaira Naomasa statue in his local region of Matsue after taking over production when Unkai passed away during the process.In addition to sculptures, produced a wide range of earthenware and other works. (more…)

Ikeda Hyoa 2nd 二代 池田瓢阿

1914-2003maleBorn as the son of the 1st generation Hyoa, the bamboo craft worker. Engaged in bamboo craft work after learning the basics from his father. Became the 2nd generation Hyoa in 1933. Studied under Masuda Donno, who was well known as a tea ceremony master and created bamboo tea things based on ease of use.In 1953 after World War II, established the Chikurakukai bamboo craft class. Began taking on the challenge of ceramics in addition to his main work of bamboo crafts in 1975 and created teacups and other works. His artist name in his late years was Hyo-o.Since holding (more…)

Irie Shikai 入江之介

1862-1940maleBorn as the son of the feudal retainer of the Fukuoka Domain and studied prose and poetry under the great scholar Masuyama. Later studied Nanga under Yoshitsugu Baizan and the Haizan father and son. At the time of the Bakumatsu, worked in the affairs of state together with Toyama Mitsuru and others, but studied Nanga exclusively once the Meiji era started. Excelled in elaborate landscape and portrait paintings.Also excelled in ceramics. (more…)

Ichino Shinsui 2nd 二代 市野信水

1957-maletamba potteryBorn as the 1st son of the 1st generation Ichino Shinsui. After graduating from Kyoto University of Art and Design, started training under his father in 1980. Produced works under his real name of Ichino Katsuaki.Was selected for the first time for the Japan Craft Art Society Kinki Branch Exhibition in 1986 and the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition in 1990 and was selected every year since. Appointed as an Official Member of the Japan Craft Art Society in 1993.Also participated every year in the Tanabe Museum of Art Modern Tea Forms Exhibition since 1989 and the Horaikai Exhibitions (more…)

Ichino Shinsui 市野信水

1932-?maletamba potteryBorn in Konda, Hyogo and continued to train in making ceramics after World War II to create new works that add modern ceramic elements to traditional Tamba ware. Was selected for the first time for the 9th Shin Nitten Exhibition in 1966 and the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition in 1975. Selected repeatedly thereafter and was appointed as an Official Member of the Japan Craft Art Society.Works include flower vases, teacups, plates and other works that combine usability and beauty using forms from traditional Tamba ware with modern ceramic elements as the basis. Tea bowls received especially high praise, (more…)