Japanese potters – I

Imaizumi Imaemon 14th 十四代 今泉今右衛門

1962-malearita porcelainnabeshima porcelainBorn as the 1st son of the 13th generation Imaemon and majored in metalwork at university due to being interested in craft art and metalwork at the time. After graduating, trained further at the studio of Suzuki Osamu, who thrived at the front line of ceramic objects in Kyoto at the time.Studied traditional techniques under his father starting in 1990 and started making works seriously. Exhibited at the Saga Prefectural Exhibition, Issuikai Exhibition, Seibu Craft Art Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Has repeatedly exhibited at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition since 1996.Became the 14th generation Imaizumi Imaemon in (more…)

Ishino Ryuzan 石野竜山

1861-1936malekutani porcelainStudied porcelain paintings under Hatta Itsuzan and was highly regarded for his specialty in porcelain painting. Began studying under Matsubara Shinsuke (1846-1899), the potter from the same province, in 1898 and made a work that resembled underglaze porcelain in 1903. Repeatedly won awards at exhibitions in Japan and overseas. Was awarded as a Person of Merit for Business in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1916. Received a recommendation at the Japan Art Academy in 1931. Later appointed as a Counselor for the Kaga Kutani Ceramics Collective, Honorary Member of the Ishikawa Prefectural Craft Art Promotion Society, and Vice President of the (more…)

Isezaki Taku 伊勢崎卓

1963-makebizen potteryBorn as the 1st son of Isezaki Mitsuru, who was designated as an important intangible cultural asset by Okayama Prefecture, and studied ceramics under his father.After his first private exhibition at a gallery in Okayama City in 1990, held private exhibitions and brother exhibitions with Isezaki So, Kyo, and Shin at the Kuroda Gallery in Ginza, the Mitsukoshi in Nihombashi, and other venues to present his works. (more…)

Isezaki Yozan 伊勢崎陽山

1902-1961malebizen potteryBorn in Imbe, Okayama and sought to become a Japanese-style painter but later switched to ceramics after entering the Korakuen kiln. Also learned techniques using spatulas by studying under Tajima Yusen.Started a kiln in 1933 and became independent. Demonstrated excellent technique in creating handleless Japanese tea pots for green tea and other handiwork, as well as sculptural works based on themes including lions and crabs. Also worked on major projects, such as a ceramic sculpture of Takasugi Shinsaku in Hiyoriyama Park in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi. Left other positive results by restoring the old kiln at Kona Yamanaka. (more…)

Ito Tozan 3rd 三代 伊東陶山

1900-1970malekyo potteryBorn as the 1st son of the 2nd generation Ito Tozan and started making ceramics under the guidance of his father and grandfather. After graduating from Kyoto Specialist School of Painting, served as an assistant at Hamada Shoji’s kiln in Mashiko and improved his ceramic technique further. After returning to Kyoto, won special selection at the Teiten Exhibition in 1933. Also sold the Yaemugura Flower Vase to Her Imperial Majesty. Received high praise and became the 3rd generation in 1938.Created both porcelain and earthenware, and works focused on tea bowls. Excelled at coloring techniques, such as copies of traditional (more…)

Ito Suiko 伊東翠壷

1894-1980malekyo potteryLeft general Kyo ware, celadon, and works using colored glazes. His works with simple forms and inlay work with innovative designs in particular were rated highly. His seihakuji porcelain with open work is well-supported by collectors in recent years. (more…)

Inoue Toya 井上東也

1942-2013malekaratsu potteryAfter studying tea ceremonies under Tansai, the master painter of Kyushu, in university, devoted himself to tea ceremonies and started making ceramics. Started a kiln in Kagamiyama, Karatsu in 1969 and produced painted Karatsu ware, spotted Karatsu ware, and Korean Karatsu ware tea bowls with a focus on private exhibitions.Was permitted to sign his works by Hounsai Soshitsu of the Urasenke school in 1971 and is favored by many tea ceremony masters. (more…)

Inoue Yonan 井上楊南

1869-1956maletokoname potteryBorn into the family of a doctor and advanced to medical school to succeed the family business but dropped out to become a painter. Then started working as a part-time professor at Tokoname Industrial Continuation School (later Tokoname Ceramic School) in 1898. Became the successor of the painting professor, who died of illness, at the same school in 1902 and instructed successors.Began making ceramics in addition to teaching painting when the Taisho era began. Exhibited at the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce Craft Art Exhibition starting in 1913, was selected for the first time in the 4th Exhibition in (more…)

Imaizumi Imaemon 12th 十二代 今泉今右衛門

1897-1975malearita porcelainnabeshima porcelainBorn as the son of the 11th generation Imaemon and worked in the family business. Became the 12th generation when his father Kumaichi (11th generation Imaemon) passed away in 1948.Was designated as a intangible cultural asset in 1952 under the pretext of preserving the cultural asset of colored Nabeshima ware. After repeated research, was invited to exhibit at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition when it was newly established in 1954 and exhibited every year since then.Also was selected for a Medal with a Purple Ribbon in 1967 for preserving colored Nabeshima ware techniques, the general holder of (more…)

Inoue Haruo 井上治男

1910-1975malekyo potteryAfter graduating from Kyoto Municipal Ceramic Training Institute, exhibited at the Kanten Exhibition and the Nitten Exhibition after World War II as an individualistic potter. Developed products with innovative forms and glaze colors. (more…)

Imaizumi Gennai 今泉源内

Late Edo PeriodmaleIt is said that he was the feudal retainer of the Owari Domain during the Kansei era (1789-1801) and Kaei era (1849-1854), but there are no accurate details regarding his birth and death.Although he was a samurai, he engaged in making ceramics as a hobby. His works that are based on Seto ware have excellent paintings. Records remain that he created several teacups to commemorate his 70th birthday. (more…)

Inoue Ryosai 2nd 二代 井上良斎

1854-1905malesumida potteryBorn as the 1st son of the 2nd generation Kawamoto Jihei in Seto. Later married the daughter of the 1st generation Inoue Ryosai, his relative, in 1875, entered the Inoue family as an adopted child, and became the 2nd generation after studying making ceramics under his father-in-law. Won an award at the 1st National Industrial Exhibition in 1877 and played a pioneering role in modern Japanese ceramics through art nouveau works that differed from the 1st generation by implementing the western ceramic influences of Galle and Daum.Traveled to Europe as a delegate representing Japan at the 1900 Paris Exhibition (more…)

Inoue Ryosai 井上良斎

1828-1899malesumida potteryWas employed to create Inuyama ware at first, but started working as a commissioned potter after being taken into the Edo residence of the Matusdaira constable from the Takasu Domain and created Raku ware. Also provided guidance to Takemoto Hayata regarding making ceramics around this time.Later became independent in 1866 and started a kiln in Imado, Asakusa. Took on the artist name of Togyokuen Ryosai in the Meiji era and mainly created floral organs with bold glazes and Sumida ware with human and other forms as artistic ceramics for exporting by Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha and Seiko. He was a (more…)

Ina Chozaburo 伊奈長三郎

1890-1980maletokoname potteryEngaged in Tokoname ware. Founded Ina Ceramics Co., Ltd. (currently INAX Corporation). The 6th generation was Tokoname Town Council Member, Tokoname Town Mayor, and the first mayor Tokoname City Mayor. (more…)

Inoue Ryosai 3rd 三代 井上良斎

1888-1971kanagawa potteryBorn as the 1st son of the 1st generation Inoue Ryosai, who engaged in Sumida ware during the Meiji era, and became the 3rd generation. Succeeded the family business at the age of 17, but began studying under Itaya Hazan when the 2nd generation passed away in 1905 and started making ceramics.Moved to Idogaya, Yokohama due to the Great Kanto earthquake and started the Kanagawa ware kiln. Mainly created works in large numbers for exporting. Also thrived in the Teiten, Bunten, Nitten and other exhibitions domestically after winning an award for the first time during the 1928 Teiten Exhibition. (more…)

Ichie Hozo 市江鳳造

Around 1800malefujimi potteryServed the feudal retainer of the Owari Domain in the Bunka and Bunsei eras (1804-1830) and was also a skilled potter. Studied ceramics under Hirasawa Kuro and mainly created tea sets and various containers. He is said to have achieved popularity, as his range of works displayed exquisite elegance. It is also said that he instructed Murase Biko when he started Fujimi ware. (more…)

Ikeda Masuo 池田満寿夫

1934-1997maleFirst applied to Tokyo University of the Arts with hopes of becoming a painter but was not accepted. Was drawing portraits along the street to make a living but exhibited at the Jiyu Bijutsuka Kyokai Exhibition and was selected.However, began to make colored copper engravings thereafter and exhibited at the Tokyo International Print Biennale in 1957 and was selected for the first time. Won the Minister of Education’s Award at this exhibition in 1960 and entered the limelight in the field of prints by continuing to exhibit at this exhibition and winning the Governor of Tokyo’s Award, Tokyo National Museum (more…)

Ito Tozan 伊東陶山

1846-1920malekyo potteryimperial household artistBorn as the 1st son of Ito Zensuke in Sanjo Awataguchi.Studied painting under Koizumi Tozan, the Enzan style painter, around the age of 12. At this time, helped Tozan with painting teacups and creating earthen teapots, which Tozan also carried out in addition to painting to make a living, and decided to switch to ceramics. Later became an apprentice of Kameya Kyokutei, the potter in Gojozaka, and started making ceramics seriously. In addition, engaged deeply in research by visiting the kilns of the 3rd generation Takahashi Dohachi, Murata Kisui, Kanzan Denshichi, Taizan Yohei, Ichimonjiya Chubei (Hattori Gyozan), (more…)

Ito Tozan 2nd 二代 伊東陶山

1871-1937malekyo potteryBorn as the 4th son of the chief retainer of the Zeze Domain in the former Omi Province. Became the son-in-law of Fuji, the daughter of the 1st generation Tozan, and took on the surname of Ito.Since then, studied ceramic techniques from the 1st generation Tozan and became the 2nd generation. Mainly created tea bowls and exhibited and served as a judge at the Teiten and Nitten Exhibitions.Also studied painting under Utsumi Kitsudo. (more…)