Japanese potters

Kondo Takahiro 近藤高弘

1958-maleAs his grandfather he has Kondo Yuzo, and Kondo Hiroshi as his father.After graduating from Law University, he studied pottery at Kyoto Prefectural Ceramists’ Training Institute and Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Research.He held a solo exhibition at the Museum of Art of Sao Paulo in 1990 and since then has been successful both within Japan and overseas at such places as the Azabu Museum of Arts and Crafts in 92, Osaka Contemporary Art Center in 93, National Museum of Scotland in 95, Gallery 213 (Paris) in 99, Barry Friedman Gallery (New York) in 2002, Yufuku (Tokyo, Japan), Paramita Museum (more…)

Kondo Yutaka 近藤豊

1932-1983maleBorn as the eldest son of Kondo Yuzo, a living national treasure, he studied pottery under his father, Tomimoto Kenkichi, and Fujimoto Yoshimichi , who were all well versed in nature and pottery.In addition to piling up awards and prizes mainly at the Shinshokai, Kyoto Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition, he has also been successful at overseas exhibitions such as being a prizewinner at the American Devo Ceramics Exhibition. In 1962, he went to America after being invited to Indiana State University in the United States, and in 1969, participated in Kyoto University of Art’s (more…)

Seidoken Kosai 青道軒幸斎

Late Edo period-malekoto porcelain Originally a monk in Hida-takayama, after returning to secular life and studying painting in Kyoto, he was recognized by the lord of the Hikone domain, Ii Naosuke, and became a Koto-ware painter together with Meiho and worked for him for roughly 2 years.Elaborately designed Aka-e Kinsai-style works, which are the typical style of Koto-ware in the feudal kiln era are well preserved, but Kosai’s work is characterized by its application of a relatively large amount of Chinese poetry together with its pictures. It is reported that he returned to Kyoto once again in 1850 after pursuing (more…)

Kobayashi Hiroshi 小林浩

1953-malekasama potteryStarted training in Kasama in 1972, and after researching ceramic glazing at the Government Industrial Research Institute, Nagoya in 1979, he opened the Kiwa Kiln in Kasama in collaboration with Kobayashi Kafumi in 1985.Since then, he has exhibited at the Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition and the Japanese Traditional Crafts New Exhibition, and has also held solo exhibitions in such places as Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Okayama. (more…)

Koga Muryo 古賀無量

1941-maleHe develops creative tea pottery and tableware centering on Karatsu, white slip ware, iron glaze, nanban, and high-fired unglazed ceramics.He received strong letters of trust from the leading families of Omotesenke, Mushakojisenke, and Ogasawara.In addition to solo exhibition activities in different places, he opened the Iwaido Yakigen Kiln and made efforts to do research of works and guide younger generations. (more…)

Komori Shoan 小森松庵

1901-1989maleFrom a young age, he devoted himself to the tea ceremony and gradually started making pottery. His productions focused on Shino, kuro-raku, Shigaraki, Bizen, etc., and he also excelled at making chashaku (bamboo tea spoons). He made presentations mainly in solo exhibitions. (more…)

Kowari Shoji 小割祥嗣

1944-maleAfter graduating from junior college, he first studied flower arrangement, and in 1988 he got qualified as a Ryusei-school first-class Iemoto flower arrangement professor. Following that, in the same year he started firing his own pottery, founded the Tobo ‘Mushingama’ kiln, and has shown success as a real potter. With his son Tetsuya, focusing on solo exhibitions he has expanded, from old pottery such as old shigaraki, old bizen, and old shino fired in a cellar kiln, to modern-style pots, vases, and tea bowls with elaborate designs. (more…)

Kowari Tetsuya 小割哲也

1970-maleHaving potter Kowari Shoji as his father, he started making pottery at his father’s workshop in 1997, and then in 1999 acquired skills at pottery under the guidance of Kato sho of Seto (studied under his son Reikichi after Sho’s death).He was a prizewinner for the first time at the 2000 Nikkokai Exhibition and the Shizuoka Prefectural Craft Art Exhibition, and received the Shizuoka Prefectural Craft Art Exhibition Shizuoka Broadcasting Award in 2003 and 2005, and the Fujinomiya Citizens’ Art Festival Art Festival Award in 2004. Shino, Shigaraki, and Bizen are the main styles he focuses production on. (more…)

Konishi Heinai 2nd 二代 小西平内

1928-maleIn 1946, he began learning at the Taiko kiln (Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture), and the following year received guidance on pottery-making from Kawakita Handeishi. In 1964, with the founder’s retirement, he succeeded to the name of second generation Konishi Heinai.He continues to publish work mainly as solo exhibitions.With tea bowls being central to his work, he is popular among tea masters as a writer who has superior skills in Raku-ware-style black tea bowls, and can write Senke calligraphy. (more…)

Konishi Toko 2nd 二代 小西陶古

1927-2018femalebizen potteryBorn the second daughter of the first generation Toko, after graduating from girls’ school, she studied pottery while working at her father’s workshop as his assistant. In 1954, with her father’s death, she succeeded to the name of second generation Konishi Toko and assumed representation of the Toko kiln.She devoted herself to even more research of Toko Sengiri color variations, and research of things like gloss and natural features. As the representative of the Toko kiln she contributed to the overall development of Bizen-ware, as she moved forward with promoting the manufacture and sale of practical pottery, and in (more…)

Kobayashi Ichizo 小林一三

1873-1957maleAfter graduating from university, he joined Mitsui Bank and was promoted to the chief of the Tokyo Head Office Research Division, but left the company in 1907.After that, at the recommendation of his boss from his banking days, Iwashita Seishu, he participated in the establishment of the Mino-o Arima Electric Railway (later the Keihanshin Express Railway, now the Hankyu Electric Railway).He established the ‘New Takarazuka Hot spring Paradise and Takarazuka Singing Group (Takarazuka Revue)’ at the final stop, Takarazuka Station. He contributed to the opening of the Hankyu Department Store in Umeda, the first station, to form the first major (more…)

Konishi Toko 1st 初代 小西陶古

1899-1954malebizen potteryHe established the Toko kiln which was the original kiln for Bizen-ware, and originated ‘Sangiri’ that goes through artificial color variations through firing using heated charcoal. This brought about great reforms in Bizen-ware.There remain his masterpieces in the replicas of ancient Bizen-ware, and he was especially good at ornaments such as small teapots, lions, and Hotei (God of contentment).Since then, the Toko kiln has been inherited by the second generation Konishi Toko, Konishi Tozo. (more…)

Kenyu 賢友

Mid Edo periodemalekoto porcelainHe lived in the castle town of Shirakabe-cho around Hikone Castle as one of the ceramic painters of Koto-ware, and as an artist under a clan’s patronage, he often produced aka-e (red painting on ceramics) and blue and white porcelain bowls. In addition, he formed a Kabunakama (a merchant’s guild under the Shogunate) with Tokoyama, Jinensai, and Sekisui, and after painting ceramics at his home, sold them to travelers coming and going through Nakasendo (an Edo-period highway). (more…)

Genda Ichimatsu 現田市松

1885-1963 (*Date of birth and death unknown, but he was 13 years younger than Hazan and passed away at the age of 78)maleBorn in Komatsu, Ishikawa Prefecture, he was invited by the then 38-year-old Itaya Hazan in 1910 to be his exclusive wheel thrower, and over the next 53 years, they created Hazan art together. It is said that when Hazan was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, he asked if Ichimatsu could attend the award ceremony with him. (more…)

Kurata Mitsunori 蔵田光憲

1951-maleseto potteryStudied ceramics under the second generation Kato Haruo. Built his own kiln (Tenno Kiln) in 1989 and went independent. Drew on the traditions of Seto-ware, mainly producing tea utensils and vases. (more…)

Kuchiishi Hiroyuki 口石博之

Showa period –malemikawachi porcelainFifth generation of the Kasho kiln (historically under the Nagasaki Sasebo domain kiln) making Hirado Mikawa-ware. Hirado-ware has been described by the British Museum as “the most brilliant style of ceramics in the world.” It features white porcelain made from pottery clay, dyed with Kuresu patterns. Kuchiishi worked to further develop the tableware for cooking developed by the 4th generation head of the kiln, focusing on techniques such as blue-white dyeing and earthenware production. (more…)

Kumamoto Ichiya 熊本一哉

1956-maleAfter completing the ceramics training course at the Kyoto Municipal Crafts Research Institute, he began working in ceramics under his father Kumamoto Kiichi. He was later selected for the Japan New Crafts Exhibition, Kyoto Exhibition, Kyoto Crafts Art Exhibition, All Kansai Art Exhibition, and others. Primarily produced vases, tableware, urns, and other pieces. (more…)

Kusebe Sennosuke 楠部千之助

1859-1940malekyo-satsuma-awata potteryBorn into the Taniguchi family as second son, he was adopted in 1881 by Kusube Kameyoshi of Sanjo Shirakawabashi, who manufactured ritual items for use at Ise Jingu for generations, and took on Kusube’s surname. At first, he aspired to become a painter, studying under Kono Bairei (also known as Ikuyama). For the sake of his family name, he abandoned his career as a painter, setting up Kusube Pottery Trading Factory with an eye to promoting the local industry of Awata-ware. The number of craftsmen working under him increased and it became successful for a time, but the business (more…)

Kuze Kyuho 2nd 二代 久世久宝

1897-1974femalekyo potteryEldest daughter of the first Kyuho, she succeeded her father and took on his name as Kyuho (2nd generation). Worked in Ninsei-utsushi ceramics and gilded tea pottery. (more…)