Japanese potters – M

Minami Ban 南汎

1926-?maiko potteryFrom Nara. Studied Nanga painting under Nishiwaki Goseki. Sought to make ceramics in 1959 and later became an apprentice of Ogami Toru in Tamba. Started a kiln in Tarumi, Kobe in 1969. Studied old techniques of Maiko ware under Kitagawa Koji in 1971. After serving as President of the Kobe Ceramic Research Institute and Instructor at the Department of Ceramics at Shotoku Gakuen High School, restored an old Maiko ware ascending kiln in Kandecho, Kobe and started a kiln in 1976. Named the kiln Maiko ware Miban kiln. Studied Awata ware in Kyoto under Unrinin Hozan in 1979. Since (more…)

Minami Seigo 南正剛

1952-maleFrom Sapporo. Discovered the charm of earthenware while studying abroad in India. After returning to Japan and studying at Keisetsu kiln in Sapporo, Graduated from the Department of Ceramics at Seto Ceramic High School. Started Kaiku kiln in 1981. Moved the kiln to Kamikawa, Hokkaido in 1983. Selected for the Nipputen Exhibition and other exhibitions. Held private exhibitions at Gallery Ginka in Nagoya, Shinano Gallery in Seto, and other venues. Participated in creating a ceramic wall at Owariasahi Community Hall. Works focus on tableware with Kohiki and Akae. (more…)

Minami Kyosuke 南恭介

1948-malekutani porcelainGraduated from the Faculty of Japanese Painting at Kanazawa College of Art in 1971. Selected for the Contemporary Fine Art Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Works focus on Kutani ware. (more…)

Minami Kazunobu 南和伸

1951-maleFrom Kishiwada. Graduated from Osaka University of Arts. Studied under Hayashi Yasuo, Mori Jun, and Yanagihara Mutsuo. Worked at the university’s laboratory. Won the Kofukai Kyoto Exhibition Newspaper Company’s Award and SK Award. Selected for the Japan New Craft Art Exhibition. Works focus on celadon and Hakuji. 岸和田市摩湯町524 (more…)

Minagawa Michiko 皆川典子

1937-femaleGraduated from Jissen Women’s University. Started making ceramics by hand in Yokote, Akita in 1974. Won the Women’s Association of Ceramic Art Exhibition Grand Prize and Minister of Education’s Award. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition and other exhibitions. Works focus on porcelain with Zogan inlay work and marbled ware. (more…)

Minagawa Tsutomu 皆川労

1950-maleStarted training at the ceramic studio in Kasama in 1973. Studied ceramics for common people at Sakuma Totaro’s kiln in Mashiko in 1981. Started a kiln in Yamato Village in 1983 and became independent. Works focus on tableware, flower bowls, and terracotta using Haikatsugi, celadon, and Yakishime. (more…)

Minagawa Takashi 皆川隆

1930-maleshigaraki potteryFrom Shigaraki. Started Tsuchinoko kiln. Uses ascending kilns and cellar kilns for firing. Studied under Komori Shoan. Mainly engaged in private exhibitions and held private exhibitions at Kuroda Toen in Ginza, the Masudaya in Shin-Okubo, the Isetan in Shinjuku, the Mitsukoshi in Osaka, the Maruei in Nagoya, and the Fukuya in Hiroshima. (more…)

Midorikawa Hiroki 緑川宏樹

1938-2010maleFrom Tokyo. Studied under Yamada Hikaru from Kyoto. Became a member of Sodeisha in 1971 and began exhibiting. Made ceramics in Iwaki, Fukushima. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Exhibition, Japan Contemporary Fine Art Exhibition, and Zagreb World Small Ceramic Exhibition and won awards. Held private exhibitions at the Jujiya in Sendai, Toyu, and other venues. (more…)

Mitsuhashi Takeo 三橋武雄

1921-?maleAfter working as an Executive and Factory Manager at Comokin Co., Ltd., sought to make ceramics. Studied under Watanabe Aisei at Ginza Pottery School. (more…)

Mitsuhashi Shunji 三橋俊治

1940-maleFrom Hirai, Tokyo. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Waseda University. Started studying Raku ware and ceramics under Yoshita Minori while at university. Works focus on flower bowls and planting pots using Jun ware and Zogan inlay work. (more…)

Mitsuhashi Eisaku 三橋英作

1929-2008maleshinshu potteryFrom Kamagaya, Chiba. Graduated from the Faculty of Horticulture at Chiba University. Later sought to make ceramics, studied under Itaya Hazan and Miyanohara Ken in 1955, and joined the Totokai. Member of the Nitten Exhibition, Contemporary Craft Art Society, and New Japan Craft Art Society. Executive Director of the Prefectural Fine Art Society. Works focus on colored porcelain, celadon, and Yakishime. (more…)

Mitsuno Mamoru 三津野衛

1946-maleDropped out of Meiji Gakuin University. Graduated from the Tottori Prefectural Industrial Experimental Institute. Started Tokorogo kiln in 1975. Works focus on Setoguro ware and Kuro Oribe ware tea bowls. teabowl 1,000 JPY 鳥取県西伯郡大山町所子 所子焼 (more…)

Mitsuke Fumio 見附文雄

1939-malebizen potteryFrom Wake District. Graduated from Kansai University. After working at a brick company, studied under Fujiwara Ken in 1971. Became independent in 1973. Selected for the Chugoku Contemporary Ceramic Exhibition and the Issuikai Exhibition. (more…)

Mitsui Hisashi 三井尚

1962-maleGraduated from the Faculty of Economics at Yokohama National University. Joined Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding in 1986. Began engaging in ceramics while studying in university and is presently studying under Nagumo Ryu and making ceramics at Ryu kiln during days off and long-term vacations from work. Works focus on rounded objects using Himozukuri techniques fired in cellar kilns. Planned a ceramic exhibition by businesspeople together with friends from his student days. (more…)

Mitsui Eiichi 三ツ井詠一

1935-malekutani porcelainAlso known as Mitsui Tamekichi the 3rd. From Ehime Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Ceramics at Kanazawa College of Art in 1959. Studied under Kitade Tojiro and Asakura Isokichi. Succeeded his father Tamekichi, the leading apprentice of the 1st generation Tokuda Yasokichi, in 1961 and assumed the name of the 3rd generation Tamekichi. Selected for the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, Japan Contemporary Craft and Fine Art Exhibition, Nitten Exhibition, and other exhibitions and won awards. Fellow Member of the Contemporary Craft and Fine Art Society. Held private exhibitions in Nihombashi, the Takashimaya in Yokohama, the Seibu in Ikebukuro, the (more…)

Michishita Kiichi 道下喜一

1949-malebizen potteryFrom Kumamoto. After dropping out of Kumamoto Commercial High School, graduated from Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Training Institute. After training at Shunkoen in Bizen, studied under Matsui Tomoyuki. Became independent in 1984. Selected for the Traditional Craft Art Branch Exhibition, Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, and other exhibitions. (more…)

Mizokami Sofu 溝上藻風

1939-malekaratsu potteryFrom Nagasaki Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Ceramics at Arita Technical High School. Started Imadake kiln in Imari, Saga in 1966. Studied under Inoue Manji and Nakazato Tarouemon. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1970. Selected numerous times since then and became a Fellow Member. Won the Kofukai Exhibition Honorable Mention Award and numerous other awards. Member of the Japan New Craft Art Association and a Board Member of the Kyushu Branch of the association. Director of the Saga Prefectural Ceramic Society. President of the Imari Fine Art Society. Works focus on Karatsu ware, (more…)

Mizuno Masumi 水野真澄

1955-maletokoname potteryWorked with well-known Mizuno Shizu Ceramics. Studied under Sawada Shigeo. Participant and award-winner in the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition ’75 Award. Recipient of the Choza Award Ceramics Exhibition Honorable Mention, Selected for the Choza Award. Selected for the Japan Contemporary Craft Art Exhibition, others. Held solo exhibitions, other exhibitions. (more…)

Mizuno Masayoshi 水野正善

1943-malemashiko potteryBorn in Hyogo prefecture. Graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in 1966. Later studied making ceramics under Narii Tsuneo in Mashiko in 1974. Founded a kiln in Nanai, Mashiko, in 1978 and went independent. Loose style primarily focused on inlay. (more…)