Japanese potters – N

Nishioka Koju 西岡小十

1917-2006malekaratsu potteryFrom 1953 he engaged in the study of ancient kilns used for Karatsu ware for 18 years. In 1971 he studied under Koyama Fujio and opened his own waritake climbing kiln, Kojiro kiln; in 1981, under the guidance of Arazawa Toyozo, he opened Koju kiln. In 1999 he opened Kaga Karatsu Tatsunokuchi Kiln in Ishikawa prefecture.After holding the exhibition “Kojiro Kiln Trio” at Gallery Dojima in 1996, he continued to hold solo exhibitions at the same gallery every year until his death in 2006; in that time he also held his “80th Birthday Exhibition” at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi in (more…)

Nishioka Kazuhiro 西岡一広

1944-maletobe porcelainAfter working at Umeno Seitosho, he graduated from Tobe High School. Became an independent potter in 1981. Awarded the Mitsukoshi Prize at the Dai-Tobe Pottery Exhibition. Awarded the Mitsukoshi Prize at the Ehime Ceramic Art Exhibition. Held a solo exhibition at Osaka Hankyu among others. (more…)

Nishio Tozan 2nd 二代 西尾陶山

1941-maleshigaraki potteryHis actual name is Yasutomo. Graduated from Shiga Vocational Training Institute. Under the tutelage of his father Suyama and Hineno Sakuzo. Awarded at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Kyushu-Yamaguchi Exhibition, Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, Issuikai Exhibition, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and others. Tokyo Ginka G and other solo exhibitions. Focuses mainly on unglazed pottery. (more…)

Nishio Zuishu 西尾瑞舟

1947-maleshigaraki potteryBorn in Shigaraki. Completed the Kyoto Institute of Technology’s main and specialized course. Under the tutelage of Ogawa Takeo and Ogawa Heizaburo. Returned to his hometown in 1969 and established Tokichi Pottery. Awarded the Matsushita Prize at the Kinki Branch Exhibition of the Japan Industrial Arts Association. Awarded the Special Prize of the Japan Arts and Crafts Association. Selected for the Kyoto Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Chunichi International Exhibition among others. Exhibited at Group Kiln Exhibition, Uno Exhibition, and Shigaraki Craft Exhibition (Textile Exhibition). Solo exhibition at Shigaraki G-Toen and others. Mainly focuses on firing, scarlet and natural (more…)

Nishiura Takeshi 西浦武

1941-maleechizen potteryBorn in Tsuruga City. Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Tokyo University. Studied pottery under Goto Tetsu, an Echizen potter, in 1974. Built a kiln in 1975. He has held solo exhibitions at Nagoya Maruei, Yokohama Takashimaya, Fukui Kobikan, and Shibuya Kuroda Toen. Belongs to the Ichinohi-no-kai, established by Kimura Morikazu. Cellar kiln ware firing. (more…)

Nanba Masami 難波正己

1938-?malebizen potteryBorn in Inbe. Brother of Namba Sojo. Graduated from Kansai High School in Okayama, where he played an active role in the 69th Koshien High School Baseball Tournament in the summer of 1942 with Matsuoka as his ace. Started his career as a potter in 1968 and became an independent potter in 1971. Built an ascending kiln at the foothills of Buddha. His third son is Namba Kazuo. (more…)

Nanba Chiharu 難波千春

1956-bizen potteryBorn in Tottori Prefecture. Graduated from Yazu High School. Entered Bizen with the intention of becoming a potter. Under the tutelage of Iwamoto Shuichi in 1974 and received training at the Ceramic Art Center in 1976. Married Nanba Akira’s eldest son (Nanba Kaname) in 1979. She exhibited at the prefectural exhibition. (more…)

Namba Sojo 難波総城

1933-?malebizen potteryBorn in Inbe. He started refining and selling ceramic clay in 1963. He opened the Onigajo Hi-tsuke Kiln in 1950, and at the same time started a workshop for pottery clay, refining sales, and the clay kneading workshop. His pottery clay sells nationwide. (more…)

Nanba Shosaku 難波正作

1937-?malebizen potteryHis actual name is Masao. Born in Inbe. Fourth son of Nanba Akira. After working as an assistant in a company, became a student of Bizen ware. Under the tutelage of his father Akira. Established the kiln in 1972 and became independent. He is unaffiliated. He mainly produces figurines and tea utensils such as incense burners and vases. (more…)

Nanba Shusaku 難波周作

1942-?malebizen potteryHis actual name is Shuzo. The fifth son of Nanba Akira. After running a transportation business, he was under the tutelage of his father Akira and his brother Shosaku in 1967. He succeeded as the head of family after his father’s death in 1981. He excels at Koyo workmanship. (more…)

Nanba Akira 難波章

1924-?malebizen potteryBorn in Inbe, Bizen City. Graduated from Okayama Technical School. Joined Mitsubishi Airlines, served in the military, was demobilized post-war and joined a brick company. Resigned from the company in 1963 and aimed to produce Bizen ware. In the following year, he built a kiln and became independent. As he desired old Bizen ware, he made many pots. (more…)

Narumi Kaname 鳴海要

1919-2004maleDeveloper of apple glaze. Born in Iwaki-cho, Aomori Prefecture. Joined the Hirosaki Industrial Research Institute’s Ceramics Department in 1951. Under the tutelage of Kato Hajime. Worked as a deputy at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts in 1931, and returned to his hometown in 38 to create ceramics at Yoshita. Won the Special Prize at the Kanagawa Prefecture Arts and Crafts Exhibition. Awarded the Asahi Newspaper Award at the Modern Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition among others. Exhibited at the Nitten among others. His main type of glaze is a pinkish apple glaze made from the ashes (more…)

Naruse Suzue 成瀬すゞゑ

1930-femaleBorn in Seto City. Self-taught in the study and creation of ceramic dolls. Awarded the Education Committee Prize at the Seto City Exhibition. Awarded the Mainichi Newspaper Award and the Excellence Prize. Exhibited at the Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition and the Japan Artists Association Exhibition. (more…)

Naruke Susumu 成毛進

1948-maleBorn in Chiba Prefecture. Graduated from the Tamagawa University Art Department in 1971. Became independent in Nagao, Tama-ku, Kawasaki City, and later built a kiln. Exhibited at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, the New Work Exhibition, the Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition, the Japan Ceramic Exhibition, and the Chunichi International Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Akasaka Green G. Mainly gray and iron glaze. (more…)

Narui Fujio 成井藤夫

1930-1991malemashiko potteryTrained at the family business in Endoji Kiln. Studied under Goda Yoshimichi since 1948. Looked up to Hamada Shoji and Sakuma Totaro. Became an independent potter in 1955. He established the Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Center in 1965 and became the president of the company. Left the company in 1977. Established the Mashiko Ceramic Village in 1978. Held solo exhibitions at Shinjuku Keio and other venues. Zaffer iron red overglaze. (more…)

Narui Tsuneo 成井恒雄

1939-2012malemashiko potteryA member of the Narui ceramic family. Trained at the family business in Endoji kiln. He joined the Oshuku kiln, a joint kiln, in 1965. Became independent in 1971. Affiliate of the Japan Artists’ Association. (more…)

Narui Seiji 成井清治

1941-Born in Mashiko. Dropped out of Maoka High School. Studied under his eldest brother, Risho, at the Endoji kiln. Became an independent potter in 1970. Works mainly in brush strokes and iron paintings. (more…)

Narui Tappo 成井立歩

1925-2010malemashiko potteryBorn in Mashiko. His real name is Masanao. Inherited the family business, the Endoji Kiln. Went to Australia in 1972 and held solo exhibitions in Melbourne and Sydney. Later, built a climbing kiln at the request of Gimhae, Busan. Awarded the Prefectural Art Festival Prize, the Special Prize at the Special Products Exhibition and the National Painting Association Award among others. First solo exhibition at Enkakuji Temple in Kamakura, and other solo exhibitions throughout Japan. (more…)

Nariyoshi Jin 成良仁

1942-2012malemashiko potteryBorn in Gifu City. Completed a graduate course at Tokyo University of Arts. Built the kiln in 1973. Awarded a prize at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition among others. Awarded the Honorable Mention at the Musashino Exhibition and others. Awarded the Grand Prize at the Prefectural Art Festival. A regular member of the Japan Arts and Craft Society. Mainly in iron under glaze and chamfering.He also known as Nanda Koreya, a filmmaker who makes unusual ceramic dolls. (more…)

Narita Katsuto 成田勝人

1918-?maleisshouchi potteryEstablished Ikkachi Pottery in Ikkachi, Kuma County. Produces tableware, drinking vessels, and other folk pottery. (more…)