Japanese potters – M

Miyagawa Kosai 3rd 三代 宮川香斎

1894-1919malemakuzu potteryBorn in Kyoto as the eldest son of the 2nd generation Kosai, the took on the name as 3rd generation after his father retired, but died in 1919 at the young age of 35, meaning that he left very little behind in terms of works and materials. After his death, his younger brother took over the family business as 4th generation Kosai. (more…)

Miyagawa Kosai 4th 四代 宮川香斎

1897-1987malemakuzu potteryBorn the second son of the 2nd generation Kosai, his older brother originally succeeeded their father as 3rd generation, but passed away within 5-6 years of taking the name, leaving the younger son to take on the family name as 4th generation Kosai. Studied tea ceremony under Hisada Soya (11th generation Mutekisai) from 1929 and began producing tea-ware. Starting around 1934, he began to use the name Makuzu Kosai as well, inheriting this name as well as Miyagawa, meaning that the 5the generation Miyagawa Kosai would be the 2nd Makuzu Kosai and the 6th Miyagawa Kosai would be the (more…)

Miyagawa Kosai 2nd 二代 宮川香斎

1846-1922malemakuzu potteryAdopted by the 1st Miyagawa Kosai when he was a child. Studied ceramics under his adopted father and Miyagawa Chozo. While working at the Makuzu kiln (from the 1st Kozai), he was appointed to Nishi Honganji Temple where he was in charge of the production of “Ichimonji Goki Teacups” at the time of the Buddhist monk Shinran’s 650th anniversary in 1911. Retired in 1913. (more…)

Miyagawa Kosai 6th 六代 宮川香斎

1944-malemakuzu potteryGraduated from the Department of Sculpture of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tokyo Zokei University. In 2002, he was named 6th generation Kosai after his father (5th generation Kosai) retired. He also goes by the name Makuzu Kosai (3rd generation), having inherited the tea-ware making techniques of the Miyagawa family. Mainly focused on producing tea cups and mizusashi (water jugs) featuring delicately painted flowers, trees, and birds. When he assumed his inherited name, a commemorative exhibition was held. Currently, he focuses on presenting new works of tea-ware under the name Miyagawa Kosai primarily at solo exhibitions in department (more…)

Mimura Tokei 三村陶景

1885-1956malebizen potteryBorn in Mitsuishi, Bizen, Okayama prefecture. From his earliest work onward, he conducted continuous research into colored Bizen-ware and white Bizen-ware from the Edo period, producing many excellent figurines of people and animals as well as traditional pieces such as kyusu teapots while protecting the tradition of hand-twisted pottery rather than using a wheel. Alongside his own ceramics, he established the first Bizen-ware training institute (Inbe Ceramics School) in Inbe, which trained many master crafstmen, a further contribution of his to the fame of modern Bizen-ware. (more…)

Miura Kohei 三浦小平

1898-1972malemunyoi potteryBorn the son of 3rd generation Miura Jozan, he grew up within the ceramics industry before moving to Tokyo to study painting in order to improve his technique. After returning to his hometown, he founded the Kodaira kiln, and while showing respect to the tradition of Mumyoi-ware, he set out to create a new style. His own son Miura Koheiji became a living national treasure. (more…)

Miura Kenya 三浦乾也

1821-1889malekyo potteryAlso known as Ogata Kenzan the 6th. After the death of his father, Seishichi, he was taken in by his uncle, Ida Kichiroku, and focused on Raku ware.At first, he made a living making clay dolls, but later he was discovered by Nishimura Myakuan (5th generation Kenzan, 1784-1853) and started making maki-e lacquerware in the Ogawa Haritsu (Lacquer artist, 1663-1747) style around 1845. He also excelled at pottery, and after receiving a copy of Kenzan’s biography from Nishimura, he began to make pottery in the style of Ogata Kenzan and took the name Kenzan VI. In addition to pottery, (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 13th 十三代 三輪雪休

1951-malehagi potteryReal name is Miwa Kazuhiko. Born in Yamaguchi prefecture as the third son of the 11th Miwa Kyusetsu and the younger brother of Miwa Ryusaku (currently 12th generation Miwa Kyusetsu) and Miwa Eizo. Despite growing up in such a traditional household, he was strongly influenced by his eldest brother’s work and studied in the United States at SAI (San Francisco Art Institute) for seven years starting in 1975 to develop his molding and shaping skills. After returning to Japan, he pushed the boundaries of ceramic art, experimenting with fusing traditional Hagi-ware with his knowledge of objets d’arts. In addition (more…)

Miyanaga Tozan 3rd 三代 宮永東山

1935-maleReal name Rikichi. Followed his father Miyanaga Tozan, a specialist in celadon and blue-white porcelain, into the world of pottery. After graduating from university, he studied under Yagi Kazuo, a leading figure in the modern abstract ceramic art world, as well under Horiuchi Masakazu and others, focusing on ceramics more from an aesthetic sensibility (as objets d’arts) than as items for practical daily use. Went to the United States in 1959 and joined the Art Students League. Joined Sodeisha in 1970. Exhibited at the Kyoto National Museum of Modern Art Modern Art Trend Exhibition, Seibu Ikebukuro Clay Work Exhibition, Contemporary (more…)

Miyagawa Kosai 1st 初代 宮川香斎

1819-1865malemakuzu potteryStudied under Miyagawa Chozo. Received a tosui-goseki seal from Kyoto shugoshoku (military commissioner) Matsudaira Katamori that would be passed on to his successors. Also inherited the name of his teacher “Makuzu” from whom he also inherited the second generation of Makuzu-ware. After retiring he took the name of Jihei, with his name Kosai and Jihei passed on down through the generations. Currently Miyagawa Kosai (5th generation) has inherited Makuzu-ware as 6th generation in that lineage. (more…)

Miyanaga Tozan 宮永東山

1867-1941maleBorn in Kyoto prefecture. Studied Chinese celadon and blue-white ceramics. His main artistic focus was on tea-ware such as vases, cups, incense burners and kensui (waste-water containers for the tea ceremony). He also excelled at producing sculptured lion figurines. (more…)

Mitsui Tamekichi 3rd 三代 三ツ井為吉

1935-malekutani porcelainBorn in Ishikawa prefecture. After graduating from Kanazawa College of Art, he worked as an assistant to Kitade Tojiro and later studied under Asakura Isokichi. Selected for the first time for the Contemporary Art Exhibition in 1960. Followed in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps when he began working with Kutani-ware in 1961. Selected for the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition in 1964 for the first time and the Japan Contemporary Art Exhibition in 1967. Since first traveling to Europe in 1969, he has continued to go overseas to conduct research and received the Minsiter of Labor’s Award in 1971. Often holds (more…)

Miyagi Sumiko 宮城須美子

1939-2019tsuboya potteryfemaleBorn in Okinawa as the eldest daughter of Kinjo Jiro, a living national treasure. Along with her older brothers Toshio and Toshiaki, she inherited her father’s style of Tsuboya-ware. (more…)

Miyagawa Kozan 3rd (Makuzu Kozan 3rd) 三代 宮川香山 (三代 真葛香山)

1881-1945malemakuzu potteryBorn in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, as the son of the 2nd generation Miyagawa Kozan, he inherited as 3rd generation Kozan but lost his studio, employees, and family members in the 1945 Allied Bombing of Yokohama along with his own life. His younger brother Tomonosuke took on the family name as Kozan (4th generation) and aimed to rebuild the business, but this endeavor was abandoned when he died in 1961. (more…)

Miura Jozan 三浦常山

1836-1903malemumyoi potteryThe first Miura Jozan was born in Sado, Niigata prefecture, in 1836. He opened a kiln in his hometown in 1876 to investigate whether improvements could be made to Mumyoi-ware, which had been produced as an industry in the area. Traditional manufacturing methods had always resulted in primary colors being lost during kiln firing, but Miura Jozan succeeded in preserving a bright vermillion color unique to Mumyoi ware (known as Jozan-ware) for which he was awarded the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce’s Distinguished Service Award. The Miura family’s traditions were passed down through the 2nd generation Jozan to the (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 12th 十二代 三輪雪休

1940-malehagi potteryAlso as known as Miwa Ryukisho. Born the first son of MIWA Jusetsu XI in Hagi, Yamaguchi.1967　 Complete the graduating process at Department of Pottery, Tokyo University of Art. Created his first major work “High Heel”1974　Build a kiln in Hagi1977　Appointed as a professor at Hagi Women’s Junior College1979　 Become a member of International Academy of Ceramics1989　Japan Ceramic Awards1993　Established Hagi Tougeika Kyoukai, Hagi Society for Potters1999　Chugoku Cultural Award2003　Succeeded his name MIWA Kyusetsu XII2007　The exhibition of MIWA Kyusetsu, commemorating 25 anniversary of the friendship between Shandong Province, China and Yamaguchi Prefecture2011　Won a Gold prize at Japan Ceramic Society Award2019　Named himself Ryukisho (more…)

Miyagawa Kozan 2nd (Makuzu Kozan 2nd) 二代 宮川香山 (二代 真葛香山)

1858-1940malemakuzu potterySon of Chohei, brother of the 1st generation Makuzu Kozan, he often assisted his uncle in Yokohama making ceramics. After the 1st generation Kozan died in 1916, he was named 2nd generation Kozan. Inheriting his style from his uncle, he primarily produced sculptured vases, sculptured figurines and other works, often incorporating birds and flowers. More so than his predecessor, he based his work on scientific research into glazes, which allowed him to develop innovative new works that solidified the reputation of Makuzu-ware. (more…)

Miura Chikusen 4th 四代 三浦竹泉

1911-1976malekyo potteryEldest son of the 2nd generation Chikusen. Graduated from the Kyoto Institute of Design after studying painting, ceramics, sculpture and other art forms. Under the tutelage of Chikusen (3rd generation), he was named 4th generation Chikusen in 1931. Much of his work, done within the Miura family traditions of kinrande and red-painted ceramics, is extremely delicate and graceful, including sencha tea-ware featuring colored paintings. In 1972 he handed over the family business to his eldest son Toru and retired to work privately in ceramics. (more…)

Miura Chikken (Miura Chikusen 3rd) 三浦竹軒 (三代 三浦竹泉)

1900-1990malekyo potteryThird son of the 1st generation Chikusen, he assumed his father’s name as 3rd generation Miura Chikusen in 1921. Following untimely early death of his eldest brother Chikusen (2nd generation), he was named 3rd-generation Chikusen, but when Yozo, eldest son of Chikusen (2nd generation) was named Chikusen (4th generation), he split the family and renamed himself Miura Chikken. Chikken specialized in red-painted and kinrande ceramics, primarily producing sencha utensils and tea-ware such as confectionary dishes, vases and incense burners as well as figurines of people and animals. He was selected and certified by the government as a preserver of (more…)

Miura Chikusen 2nd 二代 三浦竹泉

1882-1920malekyo potteryEldest son of the 1st generation Chikusen, he took on his father’s name as Chikusen (2nd generation) in 1915, and followed in his footsteps in producing sencha tea-ware. Just 5 years after succeeding his father, he passed away at the young age of 39. (more…)