Japanese potters – M

Masuda Toshiya 増田敏也

1977-maleBorn in Osaka 1999 Graduated from Osaka University of Arts, Department of Metal Crafts, Faculty of Arts Awards and Collections2005 7th International Ceramics Exhibition Mino, Ceramics Division, Jury’s Special Prize 2003 26th Choza Prize Ceramic Art Exhibition, Avant-garde category, Choza PrizeVictoria and Albert Museum, EnglandAnadolu University Art Museum, TurkeyThe Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo, Hyogo, Japan (more…)

Morisato Hideo 森里秀夫

1959-maleBorn in Kyoto in. After graduating from Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, Department of Japanese Painting (now known as Doda High School of Arts and Crafts), he graduated from the Kyoto Prefecture Pottery Training School. After studying under Tezuka Gyokudo, he studied under Toraku II and began his career as a potter. In 1996, he assumed the name of Toraku III. Awarded the Minister of International Trade and Industry Prize at the Kyoto and Kiyomizu Pottery Exhibition. Awarded the President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prize at the 2006 Traditional Craft Competition. Held solo exhibitions at department (more…)

Morimoto Kei 森本桂

1948-malebizen potteryBorn in Akaiwa City. 1978 Influenced by Fujiwara Kei and received instruction from him. 1982 Began to study under Oi Itsugo and trained in pottery techniques. 1986 Built a semi-subterranean anagama kiln and opened his first kiln. 1989 Became independent. He mainly produces tea bowls and mizusashi using a potter’s wheel or hand-building techniques. He uses a unique technique called “Mushi-Kui” to create unique changes in the surface of the vessels. 2011 Certified as a traditional artisan. Selected, Okayama Prefectural Art ExhibitionSelected, Asahi Ceramic Art ExhibitionAwarded the Genga Grand Prize at the Genga-kai Exhibition.Awarded the Minister of Education, Culture, (more…)

Matsuya Kikusaburo 松屋菊三郎

1820-1889malekutani porcelainKikusaburo Matsuya was born in 1820 as the second son of a doctor in the village of Kazuhari Komatsu. When Kikusaburo was thirteen years old at the beginning of the Tempo period, the Wakasugi and Ono kilns were operating as porcelain production factories, and it was natural for everyone to have dreams and aspirations of becoming a potter. Kikusaburo also wanted to become a potter and began training under Aoiya Gen’emon, who had returned to Komatsu from the Yoshidaya kiln at that time. Choosing Gen’ emon as his teacher was the most important factor in Kikusaburo becoming a master (more…)

Morishige Toru 守繁徹

1954-malehagi potteryBorn in Hage, Yamaguchi prefecture. He went on to study at Takushoku University. Influenced by his father, Morishige Eitetsu, he entered the world of pottery making, and after graduation, he studied under Eitetsu and trained with other students. 1990 Encouragement Prize, The Third Civilization Exhibition. 1996 Selected for the 4th Tanko Biennale Exhibition National Ceramic Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention. Selected for Asian Craft Exhibition. Selected for The Third Civilization Exhibition. 1999 Encouragement Prize, All Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. 2000 All Japan Pottery Exhibition, Honorable Mention. 2002 Fukutaro Prize at Chishinkai Exhibition. 2003 Participated in the Korea-Japan Ceramic Well Tea (more…)

Morioka Kasho 4th 四代 森岡嘉祥

1974-malekyo potteryBorn in Gojozaka, Kyoto, the eldest son of Morioka Kasho III. 1993 Graduated from the Ceramics Department of Kyoto Municipal DODA High School of Arts and Crafts. Studied under his father, Kasho III.Since then, he has held exhibitions at Shinjuku Isetan Department Store and Chiba Mitsukoshi Department Store. 1995 Opened Kasho Kiln Pottery Museum in Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu, and served as the chief instructor of the pottery class. Began working with his father, Kasho III, at the Jingdezhen Kiln in China, producing ware with wiped pigments, wucai, mucai, and underglaze red. 1996 Began producing Kinuta celadon and Hangzhou Guangyao celadon (more…)

Mori Taiga 森大雅

1974-malebizen potteryBorn in Ibe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture 2000 Graduated from the Ceramic Art Center. Inherited the kiln of his grandfather Mori Furai. Studied pottery carving under Kimura Gyokushu. 2001 First solo exhibition in Tokyo at To-midori garelly, Okayama Tenmaya, Matsuya Ginza store (8 times), Kobe Daimaru store (3 times), Hakata Daimaru store (2 times). 2008 Built and fired a very small mobile cellar kiln that fits on a minitruck. 2013 Traveled to France to make cellar kiln, exhibited and lectured at the National Museum of Ceramics. 2014 Traveled across the U.S. for kiln firing, group exhibition at Ura-senke school (more…)

Mori Kazuhiko 森和彦

1969-malebizen pottery1969 Born in Ibe, Bizen City, as the son of Mori Tozan.1992 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture. 1994 Began to work under his father, Mori Tozan.1999 Built an anagama kiln.2002 Solo exhibition at Utsuwa-ya Hiten, Tokyo.2003 Parent and Child Exhibition at Tokeido Store, Kurashiki. Since then, held annually until 2018.2006 Solo exhibition at Gallery Aoyama, Tokyo. Collaboration Poem 2006 at Tenjinyama Plaza, Okayama.2007 Solo exhibition at Gallery Hekien, Okayama.2009 Solo exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya (since ’11, ’13, ’15, ’18).2010 Two-person exhibition with Fujiwara Yasushi at Gallery Hekien, Okayama. Since then, held every other year.2011 Traveled to (more…)

Mori Iroku 4th 四代 森伊呂久

1963-malebanko potteryIroku IV is a master kyusu maker who inherited the “Iroku” name and is a traditional craftsman representing Yokkaichi Banko ware. He studied under Iroku III and Yamada Kosaku, and as the successor of Iroku III (his father is deceased), he has been making pottery for 35 years, making full use of unique techniques such as the diamond cut and chrysanthemum carving patterns of his predecessor, and devoting himself to pottery making. 1981 Graduated from Mie Prefectural Yokkaichi Technical High School, Department of Ceramics. 1982 Graduated from Gifu Prefectural Tajimi Technical High School, major course 1977 – 86 Continuously (more…)

Murasawa Jun 村澤享

1979-malemashiko potteryBorn in 1979, Mashiko-cho, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture. Murasawa is the 5th generation of famous pottery brand, “Murasawa Toen”, which was first founded in 1905. There is an anticipation in the community for him to be the next young leader of Mashiko pottery, and he has received many awards in Tochigi Pref., Japan. His award-winning pottery pieces are displayed at his pottery shop in Mashiko-cho. Murasawa Toen’s climbing kilns, which is one of the biggest in the city, crumbled down because of the 3.11 Northern Japan earthquake in 2011. However, it has recently been reconstructed by Murasawa and kiln specialists, (more…)

Mizuno Tomoro 水野智路

1985-maleHe is a third generation potter who has inherited the traditional ceramic technique of “nerikomi (marbled ware)” from his grandfather, Mizuno Sokaku, and his father, Mizuno Norio.Tomoro uses the Internet to share his “neriage” with the world through his blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 2008 Graduated from Nagoya University of Art and Design (now Nagoya Zokei University). Started pottery making. 2009 He won the Excellence Award at the 3rd “To-no-akari-michi (Ceramic Light Path)”. 2010 He held a two-person exhibition of Mizuno Norio and Tomoro (father and son). 2013 He was selected for the first Seto-Toshiro Triennial. The Aichi Triennale (more…)

Maruta Nobuchika 丸田延親

1964-malekuromuta potteryBorn the first son of Maruta Nobumasa. 1983 Graduated from Arita Technical High School, Department of Ceramics. 1987 Graduated from Kyushu Sangyo University, Faculty of Art, Department of Design. Selected for the Contemporary Kogei Bijutsu Exhibition every time, including five times for prizes. 2006 Nominated as a member of Contemporary KOGEI Artist Association. 2012 Nominated as a member of Saga Ceramic Society.Selected for the first time for the 28th Japan Contemporary Kogei Bijutsu Exhibition, and 22 times since then.Selected for the 26th Nitten, and 12 times since then. 2014 Presented a commemorative gift to Imperial Princess Takamado at National (more…)

Matsuo Jun 松尾潤

1961-maleBorn in Takeo City, Saga Prefecture. 1982 Graduated from Saga Art College and studied under Iwabuchi Shigeya. 1983 Selected for the Grand Prize and the Governor’s Prize at the Kyusyu New Craft Exhibition. 1983 Selected for Saga Prefectural Exhibition (later awarded NHK Saga Broadcasting Station Prize, Honorable Mention, Saga Ceramic Society Prize, and Saga Bank Cultural Foundation Prize and 25 other prizes.) 1984 Selected, Kyoto Industrial Arts Exhibition. 1985 Returned to his home town and started pottery making at Ryozan Kiln. 1985 Awarded the Maruta Masami Prize at the Saga Art Association Exhibition (Since then, he has received the Maruta (more…)

Murayama Ikko 村山一壺

1905-1992From around 1930, while painting Western-style pictures, Ikko taught himself to make pottery. In 1938, Ikko revived Isshoji ware, which had been abandoned during the Meiji period, and in 1939, Ikko opened Mumyoan Pottery studio for Kobuccho ware in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Mainly ash glaze, iron glaze and cinnabar. (more…)

Miyazawa Akira 宮澤章

1950-maleFrom Akita Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Education at Akita University. After working at Asahi Ceramics in Owariasahi, went to Mashiko in 1974 and studied under Susukida Koji. Became independent in 1976. Held private exhibitions at Niwa Gallery in Kanda, Tokyo, Ado in Utsunomiya, and other venues. Works focus on Hai-yu ash glaze. (more…)

Maruta Shuichi 丸田修一

1951-malehoshino potteryichinose potteryBorn in Kuromuta, Takeo, Saga prefecture. Trained in Ukiha, Fukuoka prefecture, making Ichinose-ware and at a kiln in Bizen, Okayama prefecture. Built a noborigama climbing kiln in Jugomori, Yame-gun, and opened another Hoshino-ware kiln. Recipient of the Fukuoka Asahi Newspaper Award, Kurume City Somi Exhibition Honorable Mention Award, other honors. Selected for Kyushu Yamaguchi Exhibition, Seibu Crafts Exhibition, Kyushu New Crafts Exhibition, Japanese Folk Art Exhibition, West Japan Ceramics Exhibition, Ichimizukai Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Held solo exhibitions at Yame Gallery Hanazono, Kurume Iwataya, others. Primarily focused on cedar ash glaze, shisode and kushime. (more…)

Morino Kako 森野嘉光

1899-1987maleHis real name was Kaichiro. Graduated from the Japanese painting department of Kyoto Painting College. Later, he turned to pottery and was selected for the Imperial Exhibition in 1945. 38th Japan Art Academy Prize. Director and councilor of Nitten. Participant in contemporary crafts. (more…)

Miyanohara Ken 宮之原謙

1898-1977maleBorn in Kagoshima prefecture. After dropping out of Waseda University, he aspired to get into pottery. Studied under Itaya Hazan at the Totokai. Built a kiln in Chiba after the war. Nitten Council and Director. Japan Art Academy Prize. (more…)

Maruta Masami 丸田正美

1925-1979malekaratsu potteryBorn in Kuromuta, Takeo City, Saga Prefecture, he grew up in familiarity with pottery from an early age. After graduating from the Ceramics Department of Arita Technical High School, he became an apprentice of Hamada Shoji of Mashiko, and after that he continued to practice at Mashiko, Hagi, and Tobe. He established the unique Karatsu ware that incorporates the advantages of various kilns, and built a kiln in Kuromuta in 1962.From then on, he was selected as one of the leading artists of Kyushu folk art, and won many prizes at the Kyushu Ceramics Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition (more…)

Matsuda Kazan 3rd 三代 松田華山

1902-1948malebizen potteryHis real name was Takeshi. Inheritor of a prestigious Bizen ware kiln after the first of their line, Matsuda Katsurao, and the second, Matsuda Kazan. Developed a magnificent style using German muffle furnaces, donut-shaped double kilns, and climbing kilns. (more…)