Japanese potters – N

Nishioka Yoshihiro 西岡良弘

1954-malekaratsu potteryBorn as the 1st son of Nishioka Koju. Studied under his father and started making ceramics in 1972. Also participated in the Goyokai led by Arakawa Toyozo as a member starting in 1977.Held a trio exhibition with Tahara Kenji (presently Tobei) and Kawase Takeshi in 1981, a tableware exhibition at Akasaka Green Gallery in 1986, a private exhibition at the Mitsukoshi in Nihombashi in 1987, a private exhibition at the Matsuzakaya Main Shop in Nagoya in 1992, and a father and son exhibition at Osaka Dojima Gallery in 200. Mainly presented works at private and group exhibitions. Produced tableware, (more…)

Nishikawa Masaru 西川勝

1962-malekyo potteryFrom Kyoto. Born as the 1st son of the potter Nishikawa Minoru and pursued pottery after graduating from university.Was selected for the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition and Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1987 and repeatedly selected for and won awards at both exhibitions, the Kyoten Exhibition, the Modern Ceramic Exhibition, the Japan Ceramic Exhibition and other exhibitions thereafter. (more…)

Nishimura Saichi 西村佐一

Late Edo Period-Meiji Eramelekutani porcelainBecame a painter of Kutani ware based on an invitation from the Kutani ware porcelain shop Nishikino Shoten in Terai, Ishii around 1877-1887. Created works under the artist name of Hakujuken.Had excellent technique among painters and is said to have endeavored to nurture numerous painters. (more…)

Nishimura Soshiro 西村宗四郎

Late Momoyama Period-Early Edo Periodmalekyo potteryYounger brother of the 3rd generation Zengoro Sozen of the Nishimura family (Eiraku Zengoro). Worked to create doburo (braziers) as his older brother did.His technique was given the honor of “Tenkaichi (Best on Earth),” and his vessels were affixed with the stamp of “Tenkaichi Soshiro (Best on Earth Soshiro).”Also served in Edo during the Tokugawa period with the support of the 2nd generation shogun Hidetada. (more…)

Nishimura Shunko 西村春湖

1886-1953maleawata potterybizen potteryBorn in Kyoto. Studied ceramics under Aoyama Shunko, the Awata ware potter. Moved to Imbe in Bizen around the late Meiji era and started a kiln.Focused on researching Bizen ware thereafter and left countless masterpieces of lion, human, and bird sculptures, as well as excellent teapots with elaborate shapes. Known at the time as one of the 3 master Bizen potters along with Mimura Tokei and Kaneshige Toyo.After Shunko’s passing, the Shunko-en studio was established by volunteers to honor his techniques.To add, Shunko’s representative pupils include the late Uragami Zenji, the prefectural intangible cultural property. (more…)

Nihata Daihachi 日向大八

1936-malekasama potteryMade ceramics at Ryumondaiun Kakubo in Ibaraki prefecture. Also opened the Hinata Daihachi Works Museum in Tsuchiura, Ibaraki prefecture, at 2-10-19 Sakuramachi. Born in Tokyo. Graduated from the oil painting department at Kanazawa College of Art. Trained in Arita, Saga prefecture, in 1972. Moved to Kasama in 1976 and studied under Kuroda Ryoji. Moved to Yasato-cho in 1978 and built a kiln. Held solo exhibitions at Ginza Kuroda Toen, Mitsukoshi, Akasaka Gallery in Tsuchiura, Kotsuna, Nihonbashi, Niigata, Sendai Mitsukoshi, Daimaru Tottori, Yamato Toyama, Kintetsu Wakayama, others. Art focuses on embodying the natural world and transitions of time and space (more…)

Nonomura Ninsei 野々村仁清

1648-1690malekyo potteryAfter leaving Tamba for the capital and studying at the Awataguchi pottery kiln, he learned techniques for tea caddies in Seto.After returning to the capital, he made ceramics in front of the gate of the Omura Ninnaji Temple.We handle supplies used at the same temple.His style used elegantly colored pottery fired with paintings.He established the modern mainstream Kyo ware style of Ninseiyaki.Additionally, he is considered to be the first potter who included not just the name of the kiln but the seal of the artist on his pottery.As for his pseudonym, “Nonomura” comes from his birthplace, while “Nin” was (more…)

Nakazato Muan (Nakazato Tarouemon 12th) 中里無庵 (十二代中里太郎右衛門)

1895-1985malekaratsu potteryliving national treasureHe was the second son of the 11th generation Tarouemon, but his older brother went down a different path and Shigeo came to inherit the house. He gained a grasp of the basic rules of pottery at Arita Technical School, and then at Karatsu Kiln Industry Corporation and Karatsu Brick Corporation after graduation, where he worked as an engineer. After that, he temporarily became an adopted heir of the Mutsuro family, who were lumber dealers, but following his father’s death in 1924, he succeeded the name as the 12th generation Tarouemon in 1927, and in the following (more…)

Nakamura Donen 2nd 二代 中村道年

1906-1972maleraku potteryBorn January 7th. While studying under his father, he trained in the tea ceremony under the instruction of the tea master Yoshida Josei. In the year Showa 12, he was named successor to his father following his father’s death. However, he discontinued his business in the year Showa 18 due to the war and, after training in the tea ceremony once again at Omotesenke, was given the name Yagotokama by the tea master Sokuchusai and began making pottery in the Raku style. He trained under the instruction of Morikawa Nyoshun’an and in the year Showa 40, he won a (more…)

Nakamura Donen 1st 初代 中村道年

1876-1937maleraku potteryOriginally, he studied pottery under the 4th generation Dohachi in Kyoto, but he visited and trained in various regions throughout the country as well as Korea and China. Afterwards, he came to Nagoya due to an invitation from Takamatsu Sadaichi, a wealthy merchant there, and he began to create pottery in the same area. He often produced Raku ware and Joseon style tea pottery. He passed away due to illness at 62 years of age.Around the time of the second generation, Sokuchusai Sosa of the Omotesenke school, gave the name, Yagoto kiln. The fifth generation is currently active. (more…)

Nakamura Teruko 中村照子

1933-femaleFrom Bihoro, Abashiri District. Trained at the Tokyo Pottery Research Institute. Built a kiln in Sapporo in 1965. Selected for the Kofukai Exhibition, the Traditional Crafts Musashino Exhibition, and the New Works Exhibition. Won the Hokkaido Craft Festival Prize, etc. Member of the Japan Crafts Association Tokyo Branch and the Hokkaido Ceramics Association. Focuses on blue-and-white ceramics, straw ash glaze, black clay with white slip, and three-color pottery. (more…)

Nakamura Tetsuo 中村哲夫

1944-?malemoriyama potteryAlso as known as Nakamura Tokichi the 3rd. From Shizuoka Prefecture. Is the third-generation successor of Moriyama ware, created by the first Tokichi in 1909. Studied under his father, the second-generation Tokichi. Selected for the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition and others. Won the Prefectural Crafts Association Member’s Prize, etc. Member of Japan Kogei Association Tokai Branch and the Prefectural Ceramics Association. Focuses on iron glaze and yakishime. Has held solo exhibitions in Hamamatsu Matsubishi and elsewhere. (more…)

Nakamura Tsuyoshi 中村強

1921-?malehasami porcelainFrom Hasami, Nagasaki Prefecture. Studied under his elder brother Seiken and learned the potter’s wheel. Received the Education Minister’s Honorable Mention in the Kyushu Yamaguchi Exhibition. Received the Prefectural Governor’s Prize in the Prefectural Exhibition, and is a judge and executive committee member. Received prizes at the West Japan Craft Exhibition and the Issuikai Exhibition. Selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and others. Recognized as a traditional artisan. Regular member of the Japan Crafts Association. Focuses on white porcelain and blue-and-white porcelain. vase 5,000 JPY 長崎県東彼杵郡波佐見町皿山776 (more…)

Ohi Choami 大樋長阿弥

1896-?ohi potteryAlso known as Nakamura Choami. Graduated from the ceramics course in Ishikawa Prefecture Industrial School. Later trained in Kyoto and joined Kutani pottery in Yamashiro, Ishikawa Prefecture. Switched to hand-formed Raku ware in 1922; became independent in 1925 and set up Ohi Choami Kiln. Became director when the Prefectural Ohi Ware Craft cooperative was founded in 1973. (more…)

Nakamura Chiyoko 中村千代子

1949-femaleFrom Osaka. Entered Mashiko’s tsukamoto Pottery in 1974. Became independent with her husband Kenji in Otsuki, Yamanashi Prefecture, in 1975. Moved her kiln to Haga, Tochigi Prefecture in 1976. Selected for the Traditional Crafts New Works Association. Has held solo exhibitions, women’s exhibitions, and group exhibitions in Mashiko and neighboring prefectures. Has held two-person exhibitions in Utsunomiya. Focuses on kneading, ash glaze, turquoise glaze, and yakishime. (more…)

Nakamura Takuo 中村卓夫

1945-maleFrom Kanazawa City. Learned from his father Baizan from 1978. Studied glaze in the Nagoya Industrial Research Center. Learned from professor of molding Aldo Rontini in the Florence National Pottery and Sculpture Art School. Selected for the Issuikai Exhibition and others. Focuses on inlay and glazing. (more…)

Nakamura Sorin 中村宗林

1916-?hagi potteryLecturer at the Hagi Zukune Association. Has had his works exhibited internationally in Denmark, Greece, and Venice. Member of the Europe Art Association and the Daiichi Art Association. (more…)

Nakamura Setsuo 中村節夫

1925-?malemiike potteryFrom Omuta City. Set up a kiln for Miike ware in Miike Daimayama in 1975. Moved his kiln to Sekihokame in 1979. Won the Kumamoto Governor’s Prize in the West Japan Crafts Exhibition. Won the Best Prize in the Kyoto Exhibition. Won the Tokokai Prize in the Tokokai National Exhibition and is a director. Focuses on cinnabar, celadon, and oil-drop tenmoku. (more…)

Nakamura Suiko 中村翠恒

1903-1985malekutani porcelainSecond son of Nakamura Shunto I. From Kaga City. Graduated from Ishikawa Prefecture Industrial High. Won second place in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Exhibition in 1927; his works were procured by the Department of the Imperial Household. Specially selected for the JFAE, won the Asakura Prize, the Education Minister’s Prize, and participated. Ishikawa Prefecture intangible cultural asset. Focuses on colored glazed ceramics and engraving. (more…)

Nakamura Shinichi 中村眞一

1947-malehagi potteryBorn in Hagi City. Graduated from the Gifu Ceramics Research Institute, and opened a climbing kiln in Kubako in 1973. Received the Mayor’s Prize at the City Exhibition. Received the Mayor’s Prize at the City Exhibition and the Excellence Prize at the Prefectural Exhibition. Won a prize at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Exhibition. Awarded the Chairman’s Prize at the Japan Contemporary Craft China Exhibition. Awarded a prize at the Japan Modern Industrial Arts Exhibition and became a member. Selected for the Nitten and Chanoyu Zokei Exhibition. (more…)