Japanese potters – N

Nagaoka Kusho (Nagaoka Sumiemon 10th) 長岡空處 (十代 長岡住右衛門)

1898-1961malerakuzan potteryBorn as the child of Rakuzan-ware’s 9th generation Nagaoka Kumi’s elder sister, he was later adopted by Kumi and learned to make pottery while assisting him. Later, he started making pottery in full swing, focusing mainly on tea bowls.In 1960, with the death of Kumi, he succeeded to the the name of 10th generation Rakuzan-ware and 6th generation Nagaoka Sumiemon, but died suddenly at the age of 63 the following year. (more…)

Nakajima Juko 中島珠光

1911-2000malekutani porcelainHe received consecutive prizes from the Ishikawa Crafts Association and the Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition. He received a certificate of merit from the Minister of Commerce and Industry at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Crafts Exhibition, and was a consecutive prizewinner from the 1st Nitten Exhibition to the 5th Exhibition.In 1947, he was in charge of production in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor when he did his tour of Hokuriku. His works were purchased by Asaka Palace, Kitashirakawa Palace, and Higashikuni Palace, and by the Soviet Ministry of Culture. In 1968, he received the Teraimachi (more…)

Nakazato Tarouemon 14th 十四代 中里太郎右衛門

1957-malekaratsu potteryHis real name is Nakazato Tadahiro. Born as the eldest son of the 13th generation Nakazato Tarouemon, he has been in close contact with pottery since he was a child, and after graduating from graduate school, he devoted himself to studying glaze and modeling at the Tajimi City Pottery Design And Technical Center and the National Nagoya Industrial Technology Research Institute. In 1958, he returned to his hometown of Saga and started making pottery at Tarouemon’s workshop. The production office developed Objet d’art and abstract pottery, placing emphasis on the modeling side of things. He was a prizewinner, winning (more…)

Naito Gizan 内藤義山

1944-maleHe has a history of being a prizewinner at the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Kofukai Exhibition, and Japan New Crafts Exhibition, etc. Currently, he is active in his own Kakujo Kiln Gallery a permanent spot sale exhibition, as well as solo exhibitions at galleries mainly around his hometown of Aichi prefecture.He focuses mainly on ash glaze, natural glaze, and white slip ware etc. (more…)

Nagaoka Kumi (Nagaoka Sumiemon 9th) 長岡空味 (九代 長岡住右衛門)

1874-1960malerakuzan potteryAround 1716, in response to the crisis of the abolition of Rakuzan- ware (around the time of the 4th generation Kada Hanroku), that was pottery in the same area where Matsudaira Fumai, the lord of the Matsue domain was, he invited a person called Sumiemon, who was a Fujina-ware potter, and centered around the rakuzan-ware kiln the search to revive it began. From then he took over from Nagaoka Sumiemon and became the 9th generation of Rakuzan-ware in a family of potters that continued to produce Oniwa-ware of the Matsue domain from generation to generation. He was also known (more…)

Nakamura Donen 3rd 三代 中村道年

1938-1987maleraku potteryBorn as the eldest son of 2nd generation Nakamura Donen, after graduating from high school, he was involved with the traditional Yagoto kiln and practiced the family art technique of Koetsu-style Raku-yaki. Later, he married Ms.Keiko who had succeeded to the 4th generation name in 1966. In 1973 he succeeded to the name of 3rd generation Donen and held exhibitions in Hiroshima and Tokyo. Later, he held solo exhibitions, father-son exhibitions, generational exhibitions, etc., in various places to present his work, but he died at the young age of 49. (more…)

Nakamura Donen 4th 四代 中村道年

1938-femaleraku potteryShe was the wife of 3rd generation Nakamura Donen, but died at the young age of 49. Her eldest son was still a student and could not inherit the business, so she succeeded to the name of 4th generation herself.In 1989, she received the name of Ama-yaki Nakamura Donen from Omotesenke Jimyosai Sosa, and produced works of tea bowls through Raku-ware, carefully protecting the traditional Yagoto kiln. (more…)

Nagahara Eizou 永原英造

?-1886maleFrom Izumo Province (Shimane Prefecture).Born as the third son of 2nd generation Nagahara Yozo, he prospered with his involvement in Kagurazaki-ware. The sculpture-like works among these are regarded as being Eizo’s work.Later, he served as a supervisor of Hoeizan-ware etc., and in terms of artwork, through his own study, he excelled at copying that period’s Kyo-ware of Rokubei, Dohachi, and Eiraku, etc. (more…)

Nakamura Shuto 中村秋塘

1864-1928kutani porcelainBeing the first generation, he took over the family business of ceramic painting in 1877, and studied overglaze enamels independently. He was regarded as a master of Kutani-ware in the Taisho era and made great efforts in the development of Kutani-ware by his appointment as head of the Enuma Kutani Ceramics Trade Association etc.In addition, his eldest son (Shigeru) succeeded as the second generation Shuto, and second son (Midori) succeeded as the third generation, and later, became independent as Nakamura Midori. The head of the Nakamura family is now the 5th generation Mr. Nakamura Shuto, who is currently active (more…)

Nagahara Eisuke 永原永助

1830-1891malefujina potteryBorn as the third generation of the Nagahara family, potters of Fujina- ware, who had been producing ceramics at the preference of Matsue feudal lord, Matsudaira Fumai, from around 1816 in Izumo province (Shimane prefecture). He continued the family business and produced gifts to be given to the former domain administrative headquarters etc., during the difficult management period when the Shogunate was coming to an end for the new era of Meiji.Many of his works were made by pouring brown glazes, that is, yellow and amber glazes over them. He focused mainly on making tea bowls such as tea (more…)

Nakagawa Kazumasa 中川一政

1893-1991maleHis work ‘Sakagura’ displayed at the Tatsumigakai exhibition in 1914 was recognized by Kishida Ryusei and made him a prizewinner for the first time.Later, he studied under Kishida Ryusei and fully devoted himself to his work as a painter with the aim of improving his oil painting techniques. In addition, he participated in the formation of Sodosha, Shunyokai, and the Sumito Club, etc., and established a position in the Western painting world. Furthermore, in 1975 (Showa 50), he received the Order of Culture and was successful as a master in the Western painting world, in both name and reality.He also (more…)

Nakamura Donen 5th 五代 中村道年

1967-maleraku potteryBorn as the eldest son to father 3rd generation Nakamura Donen, and mother 4th generation Nakamura Donen, who disciplined him in ceramics techniques . After graduating from college, in 1990, he studied under Shigetoshi Nakazato of Karatsu-ware for 2 years. He returned two years later in 1992, got involved at the Yagoto kiln and started making pottery whilst assisting his 4th generation. He held a ‘parent-child exhibition’ together with Ama Donen at the Maruzen Gallery in Nagoya. He succeeded to the name of 5th Nakamura Donen in 2001, and held solo exhibitions commemorating his naming in various department stores (more…)

Nagasawa Eishin 3rd 三代 永澤永信

1910-1977maleizushi potteryBorn into the family of Nagasawa Eishin which had a kiln for Izushi-ware , he started making pottery after receiving training from his grandfather the first generation Eishin. At the time he was 19, he was able to demonstrate his talent early, as he was honored by having the Showa Emperor inspect and purchase his work when he made a visit to Kobe.In 1932 when he was 22, he also tried to become a painter by studying under the Nanga painter Akamatsu Unrei, but returned to his hometown the following year, succeeded to the 3rd generation name, and was (more…)

Nomura Ichiro 野村一郎

1953-malebizen potteryAfter studying under Kaneshige Kosuke, fired the first works in his kiln in 1991. Presented works at private exhibitions, with a focus on the Ginza Kuroda Touen gallery.Presented Ikkaku Kun, the comical painted Bizen figurines, as a new work and has received more and more recognition as an unconventional Bizen ware artist. (more…)

Nonaka Yatsuo 能仲ヤツヲ

1933-2008Formed the Youth Artist Society while studying in university. Formed the VIVAN group exhibition in 1955 after graduating. Presented works at both exhibitions, the Yomiuri Independent Exhibition, Modern Art Exhibition, Modern Japanese Fine Art Exhibition and other exhibitions thereafter.Started the Seimeikai Exhibition in 1975 and exhibited works every year. Also held private exhibitions every year, with a focus on the Sogo department stores across Japan.Developed works with the theme of clowns. Also started producing ceramic works from the 1970s and developed artistry on the same level as his painted works. (more…)

Noga Kazan 納賀花山

1887-1959kutani porcelainFrom Isurugi, Oyabe, Toyama. Started Kazando in Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa in 1905 and hired potters to carry out production and sales in-house. Later expanded sales overseas and exported Kutani ware. Also received Uguisudani kiln from Tomita Tadao in 1936 and expanded the scale of production. (more…)

Nunami Rozan 沼波弄山

1718-1777banko potterymaleBorn as the child of Nunami Kichiyoshi, the trader from Kuwana. Liked tea gatherings since his childhood. Built a kiln in his home and started making ceramics at an early age. Also received permission and started a kiln in Komukai around the age of 20, starting to make ceramics seriously.Carried on the family business after his father’s passing but started a kiln in the Koume villa with approval from the government after moving to Edo.Rozan’s works are mainly called Ko-Banko ware or Rozan Banko ware. He was well-known as the founder of Banko ware, and his techniques were recognized (more…)

Nukagawa Seisho 糠川清章

Late Meiji Era-malekutani porcelainEntered the school of the 2nd generation Tokuda Yasokichi. Mainly produced sculptures of lions, humans, the Zodiac, and other lucky charms as a modern Kutani ware artist. Certified as a member of the Association of Craft Artists in 1962. (more…)

Numata Ichiga 沼田一雅

1874-1954maleFirst studied under the sculptor Takenouchi Hisakazu and made a living as a sculptor. Later traveled to France in 1903 and 1925 to study painting, sculpture, and ceramics. After returning to Japan, exhibited ceramic sculptures at exhibitions, mainly at Kanten exhibitions hosted by the Japanese government, and created a new genre in the world of ceramics. Many of his works were destroyed by fire during the Great Kanto earthquake. (more…)