Japanese potters – M

Murai Kien 村井紀炎

1942-femaleFemale artist. Repeatedly trained under the guidance of the ceramic painter Tanaka Yuichi, painted cherry blossoms on porcelain, and presented works.Won the Kyoto Prefectural Governor’s Award at the Kyoten Exhibition in 1989, the Fine Work Award at the Craft Industrial Technique Contest in 1990, the the Kyoto Prefectural Governor’s Award at the Kyoto Seiyokai Exhibitions in 1990 and 1991, and other awards. (more…)

Murase Biko 村瀬美香

1828-1896malefujimi potteryFeudal retainer of the Owari Domain and also filled various other posts, such as at Ota Regional Office and as a Lumber Magistrate. While serving important posts for the domain, enjoyed refined activities and excelled at poetry, song, seal engraving, and tea ceremonies. Studied ceramics under Ichie Hozo, a master at the time. Started a kiln in his home in Maezu, Nagoya in 1852. Started making Raku ware and established Fujimi ware. In addition to Raku ware, the style of his works was broad, covering Korai ware, Annan ware, Namban ware, and blue and white pottery. Many of his (more…)

Murata Toen 村田陶苑

1905-2002malekyo potteryBorn to a potter family in Gojozaka, Kyoto. Studied the basics of ceramics under his grandfather Murata Nagaosa from a young age. After studying Japanese painting in Yamamoto Shunkyo’s private painting school, worked for 2 years at Kyoto Ceramic Company.Continued to support his family business at first and made vessels. When it became difficult to obtain fuel in 1940, switched to making doll sculptures that could be fired with low fire power.Then made improvements for serious commercialization of these dolls. When it became possible to obtain sufficient fuel in 1955 after World War II, resumed production of pots, jars, (more…)

Mitsuke Masayasu 見附正康

1975-malekutani porcelainBorn in Kaga, Ishikawa prefecture, where he graduated from the Ishigawa Prefectural Kutani-ware Technical Training Institute in 1997 and was the recipient of the highest award at the graduation exhibition. Studied under Fukushima Buzan making red-painted Kutani-ware. Certified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2006. In the following year, he set up a workshop in his home and went independent. Recipient of the Technology Award at the Traditional Kutani-ware Crafts Exhibitions, as well as 3rd Prize from the Director of Manufacturing Industries Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry a (more…)

Mikuni Tan’yu 三国丹祐

Meiji period-Showa periodkyo potteryKyo-ware potter who became an apprentice of the first Miura Chikusen. He was well-regarded for the sencha tea-ware he made in the style of Chikusen, with his skills said to surpass even those of his master, and he was also known for producing white porcelain, cinnabar porcelain and engraved porcelain. (more…)

Miyata Kameju 宮田亀寿

Late Edo period-Meiji periodmalezuishi potteryBorn in the late Edo period in Kyoto. Son of Miyata kumakichiro (an apprentice of Wake Kitei), a potter at Gojozaka who contributed considerably to the founding of Kyoto’s blue-white ceramics industry. He learned the techniques involved with blue-white ceramics from his father and remained active working with this form under the name Furoken from the end of the Edo period into the Meiji period. In the first year of Meiji (1868), he was invited by Wakayama Zuishi-yaki to produce blue-white porcelain, where he contributed to the development of other potters. Many of the designs on (more…)

Mito Koho 水戸弘峯

1928-?kyo potteryBegan his training working with pottery molds in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, in 1947. Started up production of Kiyomizu-ware in Imakumano, Higashiyama, Kyoto, in 1952 and established Mito Ceramics Factory at Sennyuji Temple in 1956. Moved to the Shimizu Pottery Collective in 1973 and received the Kyoto City Traditional Industrial Technology Achievement Award in 1988. Known for producing tableware, sake sets, tea set, vases and other ceramics in the Kiyomizu style. (more…)

Mizuno Koho 水埜香甫

Late Edo period-Meiji periodA potter from the workshop of Kanzan Denshichi renowned for Koho’s outstanding drawing and painting, particularly of flowers, birds and people. Denshichi was awarded silver medals at both the Japanese First National Industrial Exhibition in 1877 and Paris Exposition Universelle in 1879, both of which for works said to have been painted by Koho. After going independent, Koho frequently painted porcelain that had been fired in other workshops. (more…)

Mizuno Masashi 水野雅之

1957-malemino potteryDedicated ceramics artist who succeeded to the Yozan kiln as third generation. Used a cellar kiln to fire tea-ware that preserved Komino traditional forms such as Shino, Murasaki-shino, Kizeto, Kuro-oribe, Oribe, and Seto-kuro. Primarily focuses on solo exhibitions held at galleries and department stores nationwide. (more…)

Mishima Kimiyo 三島喜美代

1932-femaleFirst exhibited her work in the Sculpture Dividsion of the Dokuritsuten Exhibition and continued to exhibit at the same exhibition until 1969, winning the Suda Award, Dokuritsu Award, and other honors in that time. Exhibited at the International Ceramics Exhibition from 1972 to 1980 (winning the Gold Medal in 1974), as well as the Japan International Art Exhibition in 1974, 11th Contemporary Japanese Art Exhibition in 1975 (Honorable Mention Award), Contemporary Crafts Artist Exhibition in 1978, Contemporary Art and Humor Exhibition in 1980, and others. Has since been active since that time in various public and trade exhibitions, winning the (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 8th 八代 三輪休雪

1839-1921malehagi potteryReal name Dorosuke, worked under the name Setsuzan. He was the son of Gentaemon Toshioki, 7th generation head of the Hagi-ware producing Miwa family. Succeeded his father as 8th generation Kyusetsu in 1865. Transferred the family to the 9th generation Setsudo in 1896 when he retired. Aside from his work as a potter, he was a loyal member of the Kiheitai militia under the Choshu samurai Takasugi Shinsaku during the Bakumatsu period, fighting in support of the Emperor against the Tokugawa shogunate. (more…)

Mizuno Yukiyoshi 水野幸喜

1909-?maleAsahi-te kiln. After retiring at the age of 70, he aspired to make ceramics, beginning studies at a cultural center for about one year before learning on his own how to make leaf marked Tenmoku ceramics. Recipient of the Seto Citizens’ Exhibition Award, City Council Chairman’s Award, Board of Education Award, and other honors. (more…)

Miyagawa Chohei (Makuzu Chozo 2nd) 宮川長平 (ニ代 真葛長造)

?-1860malemushiake potterymakuzu potteryBorn the eldest son of Miyagawa Chozo, founder of Makuzu-ware, his younger brother became the first Makuzu Kozan. Records show him working in the Mushiake kiln with his father until his father died and he inherited the family name as 2nd generation Chozo, but he died just three months after that, meaning that he left very few posthumous works behind. His work area, seal, and boxes were all the same as the work of his father. His eldest son, Hannosuke, followed the 2nd generation Miyagawa Kozan. (more…)

Miyasho Itto 宮荘一藤

1846-1919malekutani porcelainBorn into the nobility of the Kaga-han domain, following the Meiji Restoration he studied ceramic painting. In 1882, he and Nomura Yoshikichi, a contemporary ceramics painter, decided to write fine print on ceramics, going on to leave their names as master craftsmen of the Meiji period. After sales of his ceramics at the Vienna World’s Fair, he began focusing on trade for which he became known as the founder of Japan’s raw silk exports. (more…)

Mizuno Juzan 2nd 二代 水野寿山

1908-1978seto potteryReal name Sakae. Studied under Sakae’s father as well as Fujii Tatsukichi. Mainly produced Kuro-oribe, Koseto-sha, and Kizeto tea-ware. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition and also exhibited at many local exhibitions. (more…)

Mizuno Juzan 水野寿山

1877-1931maleseto potteryReal name Jutaro. Worked as a potter in Seto until he built a kiln in 1907 and went independent. Developed a good reputation for beautiful tea-ware produced on the potter’s wheel, some of which was used by the Imperial Household and the Tokugawa family. set of 9 plates 15,000 JPY (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 9th 九代 三輪休雪

1868-1953malehagi potteryThe Potter’s title is Miwa Setusdo. Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi prefecture, as the 9th generation of the Miwa family who have been engaged in Hagi-ware production for the former Hagi clan for many generations. He is also known for being the father of the 10th generation Kyusetsu (Kyuwa) and 11th generation (Jusetsu), who both became living national treasures. Produced traditional Hagi-ware faithfully including tastefully constructed tea-ware, which was known under the name Kyusetsu well into the early Showa period until he retired in 1945, after which it was produced under the new name Setsudo. (more…)

Miura Hihaku 三浦飛白

1929-?maleBorn in Kyoto as the second son of Miura Chikken, he worked under his father from a young age, becoming familiar with ceramics. Later studied under Yagi Isso and Kimura Morikazu, as well as at the Kansai Bijutsuin, where he learned painting and drawing techniques. Went independent under the name Hihaku in 1958. In addition to Kyo-ware, his work was inspired by older styles but also incorporated vivid modern patterns and designs. He left behind many exquisite works such as Ido teacups, brush-marked ceramics, and Oribe ceramics. (more…)

Mizukoshi Yosobei 2nd 二代 水越与三兵衛

Late Edo period-1845malekoto porcelainAs with his predecessor, the exact birth date for the 2nd generation Yosobei are unknown, but he was the son of the 1st generation Yosobei and inherited the family business. While his work was not held in such esteem as that of his father, he inherited a general artistic touch, with a reputation for images of pine trees as well as colored porcelain featuring flower petals blurred with blue-white or green glaze. Due to his skills with blue-white porcelain, he was invited to the Hikone Koto-ware kiln and Himeji-han domain kiln and was engageed in ceramics production (more…)

Mizukoshi Yosobei 1st 初代 水越与三兵衛

Late Edo periodmaleA potter in Kyoto during the Bunka period (1804-1818), he was born the son of Sugiura Nizo, a wealthy merchant from Sanjo, Kyoto, but took on the surname Mizukoshi from his mother’s side. Developed a passion for ceramics at a young age and, after training with ceramics in Okazaki, opened a kiln in Gojo. In the beginning, he worked on producing copies of various kilns such as Nanban, Karatsu, Hagi and Kizeto, but from 1802 onward, he worked in opposition to Imari-ware alongside Nin’ami Dohachi and Wake Kitei to produce Kiyomizu-ware, leaving behind exquisite works in blue-white and (more…)