Japanese potters – M

Maeda Soryu 前田蒼龍

1929-?maleFrom Nagasaki. Started to make ceramics through self-education in 1963. Named Soryu by Yamaguchi Bansetsu from Daitoku-ji Korin-in in 1980. Selected for the Seibu Craft Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Works focus on Hai-yu ash glaze. (more…)

Maeda Masanori 前田正範

1928-1992maleFrom Kyoto. Studied under the 6th generation Kiyomizu Rokubey. Special selection, exempt from appraisal, numerous selections, and Fellow Member of the Nitten Exhibition. Sold works to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by way of the Japan New Craft Art Exhibition and a member of the exhibition. Fellow Member of the Kofukai. Selected for, exempt from appraisal, and judge of the Kyoto Municipal Exhibition. (more…)

Maeda Sunao 前田順

1930-maleStarted Kanyo kiln in Ureshino, Saga in 1971 and became independent. Pursued Konoha Tenmoku through self-education. Created tea bowls, porcelain tiles, tableware, and decorative containers. (more…)

Maeda Katsuyo 前田勝代

1945-femaleFrom Wakayama Prefecture. She studied under Fujihira Shin in Kyoto. Joined Sodeisha in 1974. Won the Faenza International Exhibition Gold Award. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Exhibition, and Kyo Exhibition. Held private exhibitions at Galerie 16 in Kyoto and other venues. (more…)

Maeda Akihiro 前田昭博

1954-maleliving national treasureFrom Kawahara, Yazu. Graduated from Osaka University of Arts with a Major in Ceramics. Started Yanase kiln named by Shimizu Kosho from Todai-ji. Won the National Youth Traditional Craft Art Exhibition Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education’s Award. Won the Shinsho Craft Art Exhibition Fine Work Award and the 40th Commemorative Exhibition Shinsho Honorable Mention Award. Won the Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition Award of Excellence and other awards. Sold works to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by way of the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Selected for the Chunichi International Exhibition, Asahi Craft Exhibition, Japan Traditional (more…)

Maejima Goichiro 前嶋五一郎

1926-?malebizen potteryFrom Imbe. Graduated from the former Kibi Commercial High School. Started a rectangular downdraft kiln at his home in 1955. Started an ascending kiln in Onishi, Imbe in 1967 and a semiterrestrial dragon kiln in 1979. Held private exhibitions at Tenmaya and Maruzen locations across Japan. His brother-in-law is Harada Joroku. (more…)

Maekawa Yukio 前川幸生

1941-maleshigaraki potteryStarted making ceramics in 1957. Won the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition Kawasaki Award. Selected for the Modern Fine Art Exhibition, Kofukai, and Chunichi International Exhibition. (more…)

Maekawa Denko 前川電光

1940-maleseto potteryFrom Akatsu. Provided instruction on ceramics at Seto National Reformatory starting in 1979. Works focus on Oribe ware and Shino ware. (more…)

Maekawa Seiichiro 前川精一郎

1910-?maleGoes by the name of Tosui. From Kitakyushu, Fukuoka. Studied under Kumagae Koho of Kiku ware, a branch kiln of Agano ware. Started Iriji kiln in Kitakyushu and became independent. Later moved to Sakai, Osaka. Selected for the Japan Craft Art Seibu Exhibition and Kinki Branch Exhibition. Works focus on copper Rokusho-yu glaze, Tetsu-yu iron glaze, Shirahagi-yu glaze, and Yakishime. 堺市高倉台2-32-16 (more…)

Mori Kazuhiro 森一洋

1966-malebizen potteryBorn as the 1st son of Mori Togaku, who inherited the kiln of the Mori family, one of Bizen’s 6 old potting families. After graduating from the Department of Art in the Faculty of Education at Okayama University, studied under his father and started making ceramics.Won the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1969 and started an ascending kiln in Aioi, Hyogo. Certified by Okayama Prefecture as an important intangible cultural property in 1996. (more…)

Morita Takashi 森田隆司

1954 –maleFrom Kobe, Hyogo. Selected for the Modern Craft Art Exhibition for the first time in 1980 (and every year thereafter) and the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1982 (and every year thereafter). Also won the Kyoto Mayor’s Award in 1990 (and in 1994) and the Nikkei Newspaper Award in 1991 at the Kyoten Exhibition.Also won the Award of Excellence at the Kyoto Craft Biennale in 1994, the Kyoto Prefectural Governor’s Award at the Modern Craft Kinki Exhibition in 1996, and the Official Members’ Award at the Modern Craft Art Exhibition in 2004. Thrived at various exhibitions.Shapes are (more…)

Mori Yusetsu 森有節

1808-1882malebanko potteryAfter being invited to restore Banko ware by Yamada Hikoemon, a relative of Nunami Rozan of Banko ware, started a kiln in Obuke, Asahi and started making ceramics that came to be known as Yusetsu Banko ware.Used wooden models to make ceramics, which was an innovative technique at the time, and also introduced new methods, such as pink and black glazes. Received the equivalent of the annual rice stipend of 5 people from Matsudaira, the feudal lord and Governor of Ecchu Province. Was exempted from the right to bear a surname and wear a sword in 1864 and served (more…)

Mori Suiho 森翠峰

1865-1932banko potteryServed as a politician (Diet member) for his main occupation, but engaged in restoring Ko-Banko ware in 1915 around the age of 50. Started Tokaen in Masuo near Kuwana. Gathered the artisan Fujii Toraku, the painter Hayashi Yoshio, the potter’s wheel artisan Uchida Shozan, and other artisans to manufacture quality products at low prices. Left tea bowl masterpieces made by their own. Received the signature of the master of the Matsuo school from Nagoya.The 2nd generation succeeded Shigeo after them passing, but the kiln closed in 1934. (more…)

Morita Hironori 森田博則

1952-malemino potterySought to become a painter and produced Western paintings and prints. Studied abroad in Granada Art School in Spain in 1978. After returning to Japan, studied ceramics at Seto Ceramic Training School starting in 1979 and became independent by starting a self-built firewood kiln in Obara in 1980. Moved the studio to Okazaki in 1985 where it remains at present. Works focus on Kizeto ware and Oribe ware sake vessels, tableware, and tea bowls. Presented works at private exhibitions. (more…)

Mori Issei 森一正

1900-1979malekutani porcelainStudied overglaze painting under Adachi Tosen, the instructor at the Prefectural Industrial School, Tomimoto Kenkichi, who was visiting Kitade kiln of Kutani ware, and others to embark on his career as a ceramic painter. Selected for the Ceramic Division of the Kokuga-kai Exhibition for the first time in 1937, repeatedly exhibiting works at, being selected for, and winning awards at various craft exhibitions, with a focus on this exhibition, thereafter. Certified as an Art Preservationist by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 1942. After World War II, exhibited works at the Kokugakai Exhibition, Nitten Exhibition, Shinsho Kogeikai Exhibition, (more…)

Mori Koshu 森香洲

1855-1921malemushiake potteryPotter of Mushiake ware, which had been created from before as the commissioned pottery of the Igi family, the chief retainer of the Okayama Domain. Thrived from around the Bakumatsu to the Taisho era.Together with his father Mori Kakutaro, who received a kiln from Makuzu Chozo, who had come to provide ceramic instruction, received instruction from the 1st generation Makuzu Kozan, Chozo’s son who was also invited to provide ceramic instruction of the Mushiake ware style in 1868. Received a kanji from Kozan to start making ceramics under the artist name of Koshu. Although the kiln of the Igi (more…)

Meiho 鳴鳳

Late Edo Period – ?koto porcelainOne of the representative painters of the Koto ware Hikone Domain kiln. Originally was a samurai serving a temple in Kyoto, but moved to Hikone with his wife and children around 1850 and is said to have started painting Koto ware after receiving special treatment from the feudal lord Ii Naosuke. Excelled most in elaborate red paintings with gold glaze. Frequently used patterns of the Chinese phoenix, dolls dressed in ancient Chinese clothing, and sages. Is said to have moved to Ise several years later. (more…)

Murakami Genki 村上玄輝

1931-2009malearita porcelainAfter repeatedly training under Tatebayashi Gen’emon, the noted kiln owner of Arita ware, became independent and started the Genki studio. Mainly presented works at private exhibitions at the Kintestu department stores in the Kinki region and notable department stores in Tokyo and the Kyushu region.Made a wide range of works, including large plates, incense burners, flower bowls, and other items for viewing, as well as tableware, sake vessels, coffee mugs, teacups, and other items for daily use. (more…)

Murata Toshimitsu 村田俊光

1941-maleAfter graduating from Kyoto Ceramic Training School, started training in ceramics under the guidance of his father Murata Toen and succeeded the family business. Selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition for the first time in 1974 and was selected for numerous exhibitions thereafter. Created Kinrande and celadon flower vessels. (more…)