Japanese potters – M

Mizukawa Toei 水川陶影

1914-2001malekibi potteryBorn in Shigehira, Okayama prefecture. Graduated from the Ceramics Department of the Kyoto Industrial High School (currently Kyoto Institute of Technology) in 1937. After returning Kasaoka, studied making ceramics under Mizukawa Toyotaro (pen-name Hozan), first head of the Kibi-yaki kiln. Following military service during the war, studied under Kondo Yuzo and Uno Sango. Won first prize at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1959. Many more selections followed. Recipient of the Chugoku Chapter Exhibition Governor’s Award (and jury member). Member of Japan Kogei Association. Recipient of Kasaoka City Cultural Award, Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Education and Culture Achievement (more…)

Mizukawa Gozan 水川護山

1930-?malekibi potteryBorn in Mobira, Okayama prefecture. Eldest son of Toho, inherited the Kibi-yaki kiln as second-generation head. Studied under his father Toho and uncle Tokage in 1950. Recipient of the Traditional Crafts East China Exhibition Branch Manager Award, Prefectural Commerce and Industry Manager’s Award, Kasaoka Hitokazu Memorial Award. Participant and award-winner at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Okayama Prefecture Exhibition, others. Wide variety of techniques including Goryeo, Gyeryongsan, Karatsu, cinnabar, Jun-ware, ash glaze, celadon. Member of Japan Kogei Association. (more…)

Mizukawa Kizan 水川喜山

1933-?malekibi potteryStudied under his father Toho making ceramics in Fukuyama, Hiroshima prefecture. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Exhibition, other regional exhibitions. Masterpieces primarily focused on ash glaze and wax removal techniques. (more…)

Mizukami Yoshisuke 水上義介

1908-?maletokoname potteryCeramics moniker is Rakusuke. Haiku poet’s pen name was Muraku. Graduated from the Ceramics Department of Tokyo Higher Industrial School in 1928. Involved in the manufacture of architectural ceramic glazed tiles. After the war, followed his interest in teaware, studying Kuroraku, Iraho, Tatsusago, others. (more…)

Mizukami Moriji 水上守次

1918-?maletokoname potteryMember of Tokoname City Art Association. Tokoname Ceramics Engraving Society member. Selected for the Choza Award Ceramics Exhibition, others. Primarily focused on ceramic engraving. (more…)

Mizukami Sataro 水上佐太郎

1913-?maletokoname potteryChoza Award Ceramics Exhibition Choza Award, many other awards. Selected for the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Primarily worked with ash glaze. (more…)

Mizukami Kiyoshi 水上清

1937-?maletokoname potteryCeramics moniker is Sakurayama. Studied under Sawada Akimura. Opened Sakurayama Ceramics in the Tokoname area to make the traditional Tokoname-ware ceramics. Recipient of the Japan Ceramic Design Competition Bronze Award, Gold Award. Recipient of the Sanchi Shinko Ceramics Exhibition Chief’s Three Award Design Category Gold Prize, Tokoname-ware Ceramic Design Competition Honorable Mention, Choza Award Technical Category Gold Award, Sanchi Shinko Ceramics Exhibition Mayor’s Award, Chairman’s Award, Sponsorship Award, other honors. (more…)

Mizuo Hosetsu 水尾峰雪

1932-?malehagi potteryReal name is Mizuo Kenji. Following 24 years of training in Hagi-ware ceramics, he built a kiln in Hagi in 1970 and went independent. Especially skilled in the making of teaware using Hagi katamigawari and sukashibori techniques. (more…)

Misaki Mitsukuni 美崎光邦

1951-maleBorn in Ichikawa, Chiba prefecture. Graduated from Chuo University in 1974. Later trained in famed ceramics regions such as Kutani, Aizu Hongo, Bizen, and Uchiharano of Aki, Kochi prefecture. Went independent in 1979 in Owase, Mie prefecture, where he established Misaki Ceramics. Moved his kiln to Tomisato, Chiba prefecture in 1986 and renamed it Yoyogama Kiln. Presided over ceramics classes. Selected for the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, Japanese Ceramics Exhibition, Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Associate member of Japan Kogei Association. Held solo exhibitions at Tobu Ikebukuro, others. Primarily focused on multicolor inlay, (more…)

Miki Tadashi 三木忠

1951-maleCeramics production primarily focused on tableware using white glaze, powder glaze and lapis lazuli. Selected for the Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition. Unaffiliated. (more…)

Mieno Isateru 三重野勲輝

1941-malechikuzen kannon potteryEstablished the Chikuzen Isao kiln (Kunyo) on the north shore of Hata Reservoir Lake. First traveled to Korea in 1972 to learn the basics at a local kiln, later returning to the country several times for further studies. Selected many times for the Seibu Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition, Fukuoka Prefecture Exhibition. Focused on inlay, yin-yang engraving, kakiotoshi, flower patterns, and geometric shapes. (more…)

Mikami Kanichi 三上寛一

1945-malebizen potteryBorn in Yubari, Hokkaido. Graduated from Yubari High School. While working for a printing company in Tokyo, he visited the ceramics production regions of Kutani, Bizen, Karatsu, and Mashiko and was inspired to pursue ceramics as a career. Studied under Kazan Takatori in 1972. Went independent in 1980. Selected for the Okayama Prefecture Exhibition. (more…)

Miura Chikusen 5th 五代 三浦竹泉

1934-malekyo potteryBorn in Gojozaka, Kyoto. Real name Toru. Eldest son of 4th generation head Chikusen. Graduated from Doshisha University in 1957. Later studied under his father Chikusen making ceramics, and learning about the tea ceremony, senchado, flower arrangement and kodo. Inherited the family business as 5th generation head Chikusen in 1972. Took advantage of the traditional style of the family Chikusen kiln while incorporating other styles such as Shozui, blue dyeing, red painting, color painting, gold painting, Cochin-ware, Mishima, Mimoto, Shino and Hidazuki. Developed a new kiln firing method utilizing gas and electric to replace the conventional noborigama climbing kiln (more…)

Miura Takao 三浦崇男

1950-malehagi potteryBorn in Hagi. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Gakushuin University. Inherited the Hagi-ware producing Takamineyama Kiln as second generation head of the family business. Selected for the Hagi City Exhibition, Yamaguchi Prefecture Exhibition, Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition, Contemporary Crats Chugoku Subcommittee Exhibition, Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition, others. Produced the Hagi City Agricultural Association Building lobby’s ceramic tile wall with the assistance of his father. Worked on many other ceramic tile wall installations. Held solo exhibitions and father-son exhibitions at Kokura, Ube, Yahata, Izutsuya, Shimonoseki, Kyoto Daimaru. (more…)

Miura Soho 三浦崇峰

1920-?malehagi potteryBorn in Hagi, Yamaguchi prefecture. Graduated from Kansai University. Later established the Hagi-yaki producing Takamineyama Kiln. Director of the association’s first term. Participant and award-winner at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition, Japan Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, Branch Exhibition, and others. Produced the “Bountiful Harvest’ ceramic tile wall in the lobby of the Hagi City Agricultural Association Building. (more…)

Miura Shoichi 三浦正一

1932-maleechizen potteryBorn in Sendai. Desire to work in ceramics began in 1972. Completed the training section at the Fukui Ceramics Research Institute in 1973. Later opened the Ochikaki kiln in Echizen Ceramics Village. Recipient of the Prefectural Traditional Crafts Exhibition Excellence Award, Prefectural Craft Artist Association Exhibition Prize. Inspector for prefectural exhibitions. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Member of Japan Kogei Association. Solo exhibitions at Sabae GZEN and Nagoya Maruei. Primarily worked with colored clay inlay. (more…)

Miura Shurei 三浦硃鈴

1942-Trained in Arita-ware and Kyo-ware ceramics. In 1965, began working at the foot of Mt. Fuji in Yamanashi prefecture creating ceramics from the soil near the mountain. Established a shurei kiln in 1971. Recipient of the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition NHK Chairman’s Award, many other honors: New Exhibition Tokyo Branch Award, etc. Member of the Japan Kogei Association. Award-winner, invitee and judge of the Yamanashi Arts Festival Excellence Award, and others. Recipient of the International Ceramics Exhibition Outstanding Work Award, Chunichi International Exhibition Honorable Mention. Participant and award-winner at the Arita Ceramics Exhibition, West Japan Crafts Exhibition, Seitokai, Japan Ceramics (more…)

Miura Shigehisa 三浦繁久

1946-malemino potteryBorn in Toki, Gifu prefecture. Graduated from the Ceramics Department of Tajimi Technical High School. Followed his dreams of working in ceramics after opening the Meirakuji kiln and inheriting a three-generation old family business. Primarily held solo exhibitions independently in Nagoya, Tokyo, and Osaka. Primarily focused on Shino-ware, earth ash glaze, Kizeto, iron glaze, and blue dyeing. (more…)

Miura Sachimi 三浦幸美

1952-femaleBorn in Aomori. Completed a certification with a specialty in Shigaraki ceramics at Tajimi Kogyo kiln. Returned home in 1979 and established an independent kiln. Selected for the Women’s Ceramics Exhibition. Held solo exhibitions at Aomori Matsukiya, Aomori City Museum of Art, other venues. Primarily focused on apple ash glaze, hiba ash glaze and asamushi glaze ceramics. (more…)

Miura Koheiji 三浦小平二

1933-2006maleliving national treasureThe eldest son of Miura Kohei, head of a family working with Mumyoi-ware in Sado, Niigata prefecture. Graduated from the sculpture department of Tokyo University of the Arts in 1955. Studied under Kato Hajime. Worked as a lecturer for the ceramics course at the same university before retiring in 1971 and devoting himself full-time to ceramics. Became an assistant professor in the ceramics course of the same department in 1986. Recipient of the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition Asahi Newspaper Award. Judge for the Excellence Award at the New Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Recipient of the Ministry of Education, (more…)