Japanese potters – I

Igarashi Shinpei 五十嵐新平

1750-1829malekosobe potteryAfter training in ceramics in Kyoto, the 1st generation Shinpei moved to Kosobe in Settsu Province (Kosobe, Takatsuki, Osaka) around 1790 and started the Kosobe ware kiln, which was a branch of Kyo ware. This family business was handed down from generation to generation, and during the time of the 2nd generation Shinpei (Tenpo era), effort started to also be put into copies of various kilns, including Takatori ware, Korai ware, Shigaraki ware, and Nanban ware. The 3rd generation Shinpei frequently made copies of Kiyomizu Rokubey, who was a skilled artisan in Kyoto, and established representative techniques of Kosobe (more…)

Inoue Motozo 2nd 二代 井上素三

1890-1956maletokoname potteryIt is presumed that he was adopted by the 1st generation Inoue Motozo, given that his real name was Kameoka Umesaburo. Received instruction from the 1st generation, succeeded the name of “Tomozo” and artist name of “Fushikian,” and created masterpieces of Tokoname ware tea sets for green tea and matcha. (more…)

Inoue Motozo 井上素三

1866-1931maletokoname potteryWas born as the 3rd son of Tomimoto Iwajiro, but was adopted by the Inoue family and took on the surname of Inoue.Trained in ceramics under the 1st generation Morishita Mokuji, the Tokoname ware potter, since he was a child and is also said to have studied under his uncle, the 2nd generation Matsumoto Sanko. He then traveled around kilns in Ise, Yamashiro, Shikoku, Bizen, and other places alone.Was invited by the Shinonome ware kiln in Nagoya in 1893, enjoyed the favor of the tea ceremony expert Shibayama Junko, and devoted himself to studying tea ceremonies. Since then, began (more…)

Iwakurasan Kichibei 岩倉山吉兵衛

Late Edo ear – Early Meiji Eramaleiwakura potteryA potter from a family that had been making ceramics for generations in Awataguchi, Kyoto who became a commissioned teacup maker for the Tokugawa clan together with Kinkozan Sobei in 1756. Although he continued in this position until around the Bakumatsu, many details, such as when the 1st generation lived and how many generations there were, are unclear. It is presumed that his ancestors were Iwakura ware potters in Rakuhoku. (more…)

Idaka Kizan 1st 初代 井高帰山

1881-1967maleFound employment as an engineer at Izushi Ceramic Experimental Institute and later became acquainted with Makuzu ware from Yokohama and Mikasa ware from Karuizawa. Became independent after training and started the Awama ware kiln.Mainly excelled at tea sets for green tea and also produced celadon and Dehua porcelain. However, there are hardly any remaining works, as he created all of his works by himself without using any assistants. (more…)

Ito Saiso 伊藤才叟

1886 -1977maleraku potteryThe pen-name is Gafuken. Ito Saiso originally operated a business selling tea bowls in Tsushima, Aichi. Inspired by the works of Ohashi Shuji, however, he gradually found himself more interested in creating ceramics than in selling them. After completing training in Seto, he opened up his own pottery in Fujinami, Tsushima in 1933.He mainly produced Raku ware tea bowls, and started out working under the name Toseian, but was given the new artist name “Gafu-kensaiso“ by Hattori Tanpu, a scholar of Chinese classics (he also worked under such aliases as “Nyudoso” and “Ichimusai”).He actively pursued ceramics making, opening (more…)

Itaya Hazan 板谷波山

1872-1963maleGraduated from Tokyo Art School (Tokyo University of the Arts) in the Sculpting Department.Learned alongside students such as Okakura Tenshin and Takamura Koun.He built a home at Tabata which also doubled as a workshop, and after installing a downdraft style kiln, he devoted himself to creating pottery in order to utilize the fruits of the research on pottery he had engaged in up until that point.In 1907, he exhibited his work, “Jisei Kinshimon Kesshoyu Vase” at the Tokyo Industrial Exposition and won third place prize.After winning many prizes, he was appointed an Imperial Household Artist in 1934. In 1945, his (more…)

Ishiguro Munemaro 石黒宗磨

1893-1968maleliving national treasureIshiguro Munemaro roamed areas such as Tokyo, Saitama, Toyama and Kanazawa as he created his pottery works, before building a kiln at Ohara, Kyoto and settling down in 1935. He then became close to individuals such as Koyama Fujio, Katō Hajime, Kaneshige Toyo, Arakawa Toyozō and Katō Tōkuro and founded the Tōri Society and the Kashiwa Society among others.His style was of free-spirited expression, and he showed outstanding talent in fields such as black glaze, iron glaze, iron painting, temmoku glaze, Karatsu ware, overglaze enamel and ash glaze.In particular, he was acknowledged as a holder of cultural property (more…)

Imura Hikojiro 井村彦次郎

? -1897maleyokohama porcelainfocused on the fact that the painting of ceramics for export that was being done in Tokyo at the start of the Meiji era was flourishing. He transported materials from the Nobi region to Yokohama, and around 1875 (year 8 of the Meiji era) he gathered talented artists and materials from each region, and established a factory in Yokohama that specialized in over-glazing. Initially, after establishing the first factory in Onoe Town, Yokohama, it grew steadily and developed into a large export company with a total of four factories such as in Aioi Town and Tokiwa Town. Together (more…)

Iwamoto Shuichi 岩本修一

1935-malebizen potteryBorn in Bizen, Okayama. Won a special prize for Western art at Nikaten. Started pottery in 1970. Won the Education Superintendent’s Award and the Chief of Commerce’s Award at the Traditional Craft Chugoku Exhibition, and the Nagoya Mayor’s Choice Award and the Aichi Governor’s Choice Award at the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Art, among others. Selected for exhibitions like the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. Has held personal exhibitions at Osaka Mitsukoshi. (more…)

Iwamura Yoshio 岩村与詩夫

1925-1987maleohi potteryStudied under Izukura Juro in Kaga. Later founded the Oyabu kiln there. Member of the Asia Art Society and the Kaga Art Association. Director of the Ohi Ware Craft Cooperative. Creates Ohi ware tea cups and colored vessels, mizusashi, and decorative items. (more…)

Iwamura Mamoru 岩村守

1934 –maleBorn in Kyoto. Son of Fukuyuki. Graduated from the Sculpture department at Tokyo University of the Arts. Studied under Ishii Tsuruzo. Professor at Tamagawa University. Creates ceramic sculptures, murals, and designs, and specializes in yakishime and turquoise. (more…)

Iwamura Fukushi 岩村福之

1903-1987maleBorn in Kyoto. Completed his studies at Kyoto Ceramics Institute. Studied under Sawada Sozan and Kawamura Seizan. Founded his own kiln in 1962. Has held exhibitions at locations including Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi. Makes tea bowls with inka zougan, cinnabar, iron sand glaze, yakishime, ash glaze, etc. (more…)

Iwabuchi Shigeya 岩淵重哉

1925-1993malekyo potteryWorked at Kyoto University of Art. Studied under Tomimoto Kenkichi and Kondo Yuzo. Founded the Yuyuyo kiln in 1955. First selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition in 1960. Has held personal exhibitions at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Osaka Takashimaya, Kyoto Asahi Gallery, Kobe Diamond, Tokyo Green Gallery, and in several countries around the world. Instructor at Kyoto Saga Art College and the Tekisui Museum of Art Ceramics Laboratory. Japan Kogei Association member and director. (more…)

Iwahashi Komine 岩橋古美根

1958-femaletokoname potteryStudied under Kato Takuo and Hirohide. Selected for Nitten, the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Art, the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, and the Japan Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition. Received an award for excellence in the Chubu Yomiuri Art Exhibition. Works with iron glaze, white glaze, and crystalline glaze, and uses the color changes from the kiln to create beauty. (more…)

Iwahashi Shingo 岩橋眞悟

1953-maletokoname potteryStudied under Yamazaki Kakutaro and Kato Takuo. Has won Nitten, the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Art, and the Japan Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, among others. Won the Silver Prize at the Biennale International Ceramics Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramics Prize, and other awards. Specializes in red clay, crystalline glaze, and cinnabar. Also active internationally, and has held exhibitions and examined art in countries like Italy, France, Norway, and Germany. (more…)

Iwata Yasuhiro 岩田安弘

1947-maleBorn in Tajimi, to a family of potters. In 1982, his years of research into tenmoku pottery bore fruit, and he created a unique type of kiln. He has been awarded the Best Newcomer Award at Nipputen, and the Chairman’s Choice Award at the Toki municipal exhibition, among others. Won the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Nipputen member. (more…)

Iwase Koji 岩瀬弘二

1946-maletokoname potteryBegan making pottery in 1962. In 1980, founded the Koji Ceramics Studio and became independent. Has won the Tokoname Art Exhibition, the ceramics exhibition at the city’s cultural festival, and the Regional Development Ceramics Exhibition, as well as the Gold Award in the Design division of the Choza Prize, and other awards. Has held group exhibitions at locations including the Imperial Hotel Arcate Tachibana in Chiyoda. (more…)

Iwase Ken’ichi 岩瀬健一

1946-maleStudied under painter Yabuzaki Akira. Learned pottery from Matsui Kosei and Tsuji Seimei. Founded his own kiln in 1972. Won the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Has held personal exhibitions at Hachioji Daimaru, Ginza Hamanoya, and Matsuya, among other locations. Mainly creates tableware using porcelain and yakishime. (more…)

Iwashita Tetsuo 岩下哲夫

1948-malemashiko potterySixth generation head of the Mashiko ware kiln Iwashita Ceramics. Graduated from Hosei University. Later trained at the Tochigi Ceramics School, and finished his research program there. Selected for the prefecture’s arts festival, among other exhibitions. Specializes in persimmon glaze, sugar white glaze, cinnabar, Irabo glaze, and nagashikake. (more…)