Japanese potters

Kuze Kyuho 3rd 三代 久世久宝

Showa period –femaleFemale writer and artist. Did extensive research into the family’s history making Ninsei-utsushi ceramics leading up to Kyuho(2nd generation) and took over as third-generation owner in 1974. (more…)

Kumagai Kaya 熊谷榧

1929-femaleBorn the second daughter of Kumagai Morikazu, a master of Western-style painting and printmaking, she followed into painting under the influence of her father, holding her first solo exhibition of collage paintings at the Umeda Gallery in 1954 after graduating from university. Turned next to oil painting, which she presented at solo exhibitions primarily at art galleries around the world as well ceramics exhibitions under the name of Kumagai Kaya. Established the Kumagai Morikazu Museum in 1985. (more…)

Kusu Tomohiro 玖須朋弘

1947-1997maletsushima potteryBegan working in ceramics with the intention of reviving Tsushima-ware (the successor of the Busan kiln in Korea) in the Meiji period. After training in Kyoto and Karatsu, he opened the Hisada kiln in Tsushima in 1973. Primarily presents his work at solo exhibitions in galleries in various locations, developing work such as tea-ware that strives for harmony between the textures of Joseon and Japan. (more…)

Kumakura Junkichi 熊倉順吉

1920-1985maleBorn into a house well-known within the local construction industry as the eldest son. After graduating from school, he worked mobilizing students during the war. After the war, he declined to take over the family business, deciding instead to pursue pottery as a career. After learning the basics at Kyoto Ceramics Research Institute, he trained at Shosai Toen under the guidance of Tomimoto Kenkichi, exhibiting works at the New Crafts Association, which he later presided over, as well as the Living Fine Arts Division of the Modern Art Association. In 1957, he joined Yagi Kazuo, Suzuki Osamu, and others at (more…)

Kutani Shoza 九谷庄三

1816-1883malekutani porcelainBorn the son of a farmer in Terai, Nomi-gun, Kaga domain, he was involved in the ceramics industry as a painter from the age of 11 onward, going independent after opening his own workshop in Terai at the age of 26. Through shifting the painting materials he used from Japanese-made pigments to Western-made pigments, which were just beginning to be imported into Japan at the time, he achieved at neutral-color glaze that had been difficult to achieve up until that point but which soon became the basis of modern Kutani-ware. In the Meiji period, Shoza’s work was exported overseas (more…)

Kumagai Koyo 15th 十五代 熊谷紅陽

1912-1992maleagano potteryAgano-ware, which had ceased production earlier in the Meiji period, was revived with government support by Kumagai Kuhachiro, who became 13th Kumagai Kuhachiro following on from the 12 generations of Hanshichi that had worked in Agano-ware through the feudal han era. Koyo was the eldest son of Ryuho, 14th generation head of the Kumagaya family working in Agano-ware. During the war, he was sent to Korea, where he also made ceramics locally under direction of the army. After returning to Japan in 1945, he returned to the family business, earning awards at various exhibitions and holding many solo exhibitions. (more…)

Kubo Soshun 2nd 二代 久保祖舜

1873-1934maleyashima potteryEldest son of the first generation Kubo Soshun, founder of Kankake-ware (Kankake ware is later renamed Yahima ware.), he worked in the family business at his father’s workshop until his father’s death, at which time he inherited his father’s name, become the second-generation Soshun. Moved to Takamatsu at the end of the Taisho period (c. 1925) where he established the Sansuesha Company, aiming to establish a firm position in sales of souvenirs in Takamatsu. However, after the death of Tomisaburo, there was no successor to the kiln and the business was disbanded. teabowl 5,500 JPY (more…)

Kuze Tensei 久世天声

1878-1933maleashiwara potteryStudied art under Yamada Keichu while working as a teacher at Ishikawa Technical Senior High School, but in 1914 moved to Awara Onsen in Fukui prefecture where he made his own ceramic sightseeing souvenirs which he sold as Awara-yaki. Ashihara ware is characterized by beautiful pale blue and green tones created by using glazes made from malachite (peacock stone), which contains high levels of copper.Later succeeded to the Kuze name as third generation (Kuze Takesuke). (more…)

Kuze Kyuho 1st 初代 久世久宝

1874-1947maleawata potteryBorn son of Bakumatsu period Buddhist priest Ninkei, began making ceramics under the name Ninyu, helped by his close relationship with Otagaki Rengetsu (possibly 2nd generation Rengetsu of the period) and others working in the field. His talent was recognized by Urasenke Ennosai, who ensured that he would inherit the Kuho business and eventually become 4th generation owner. He worked primarily with Kyo-ware and Awata-ware specializing in color paintings and Ninsei-ware. (more…)

Munakata Ryoichi 宗像亮一

1933-?malehongo potteryBorn as the 1st son of the 6th generation Munakata Toyomune (or read as Toyooki) of the Hongo ware Munakata kiln, which is said to be the oldest ascending kiln in the Tohoku region. Started making ceramics under the guidance of his father in 1949. Became the 7th generation upon the passing of his father in 1970.Won the Japan Folk Crafts Museum’s Award in 1971. Also won the 1st Fukushima Prefectural Art Award in the same year, the Prefectural Art Distinguished Service Award in 1989, the Industrial Distinguished Service Award in 1994, the Regional Culture Distinguished Service Award (awarded (more…)

Ito Sekisui 伊藤赤水

1838-1872malemunyoi potteryReal name was Tomitaro. In 1857, assumed the artist name of Sekisui and used the soil from Aikawa, Sado (Mumyoi ware) to improve the Raku ware started by Ito Jinpei from the head family. Founded Sekisui ware by making tea sets and sake cups using shidei techniques. Passed away at the age of 35.From the Meiji era on, the 2nd generation Kenzo and the 3rd generation Kotaro succeeded Sekisui ware. Inlay work and other techniques were added during this process to make improvements. The 5th generation Ito Sekisui is the holder of an important intangible cultural asset. (more…)

Seifu Yohei 2nd 二代 清風与平

1844-1878malekyo potterymushiake potteryBorn as a child of the 1st generation Yohei and studied ceramics under his father.Became the 2nd generation Seifu Yohei around the Bunkyu era (1861-1863) upon the passing of his father. Also fulfilled an order for the Kinri Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace) of the Katsura-no-miya family around the same time.Then went to guide the Mushiake kiln in Okayama Prefecture, following in the footsteps of the 1st generation, in 1870 once the Meiji era started. Appointed to serve as an industrial official by the Kyoto Prefectural Government in 1973. Gave all of his effort toward its development but passed (more…)

Seifu Yohei 5th 五代 清風与平

1921-1990maleBorn as the 1st son of the 4th generation Yohei, but lived an unfortunate adolescence, having to temporarily leave his family and take up other work due to the extreme financial hardships suffered by his family at the time.However, enjoyed the favor of the bonsai pot maker Tsukinowa Yusen and decided to start from scratch as a bonsai pot maker. Continued to have a close friendship with Yusen after that, leaving joint works together (Yohei painting pots by Yusen). Also succeeded in rebuilding the studio as a result of the positive sales of his bonsai pots. Came to produce tea (more…)

Seifu Yohei 3rd 三代 清風与平

1850-1914malekyo potteryimperial household artistBorn to the Okada family in Harima Province. Sought to be a painter as a youth and studied Japanese painting and nanga under Tanomura Chokunyu in Osaka. However, gave up on painting due to illness and transitioned to ceramics by becoming an apprentice of the 2nd generation Seifu Yohei in Kyoto. Used the artist name of Seizan to make ceramics at the time.Later married the younger sister of the 2nd generation and became a son-in-law of the Seifu family (Shinkai family). Became the 3rd generation Yohei upon the passing of the 2nd generation in 1878. Studied the (more…)

Seifu Yohei 4th 四代 清風与平

1871- 1951malekyo potteryBorn as the 2nd son of the 3rd generation Yohei and studied techniques from his father. Also studied Japanese painting techniques under Tanomura Shosai.Carried on the family business upon the passing of his father and became the 4th generation Seifu Yohei. Favored the tasteful and had a range of work with elegance. Received high praise and did not disgrace the reputation of his noble family, but lost most of the assets that he had amassed to that point due to the New Yen Conversion Policy (demonetization of old currency to prevent inflation) in 1946 after World War II (more…)

Suzuki Seiko 鈴木清湖

1879-1926kyo potteryStudied porcelain molding techniques under Inoue Ryosai in Seto in 1894. Made the first dolls and ornaments using porcelain at the Kiyomizu Monzenkai in Gojo, Kyoto. Then won the Silver Medal at the Paris Expo. Received roughly 800 tsubo of bamboo forest in Sennyu-ji owned by the Kakimoto tile shop in 1918 and started a climbing kiln. Moved in 1924, and the property of the Suzuki family in Sennyu-ji known as Kuromon attracted many potters from Seto who worked as artisans. There were roughly 30 potters at most. Passed away in February 1926. The 1st son Suzuki Kiyoshi became (more…)

Sugita Shohei 4th 四代 杉田祥平

1942-maleseikanji potteryBorn as the 4th generation of the Sugita family, which inherited the Seikanji kiln established by the 1st generation Kikujiro in the early Meiji era with the approval of the Seikanji family of former counts. Studied ceramics under the 3rd generation Sugita Shohei. Further, had the 14th generation Kakunyu from the Raku family as a mentor. Studied for many years and became the 4th generation Shohei in 1997.Also permitted to enter the Urasenke estate and received the Seikanji kiln’s round seal from the Urasenke master Hounsai.Most adept at the family tradition of copies of traditional colored works by Ninsei. (more…)

Sumitomo Kan’ichi 住友寛一

1896-1956maleThe 1st son of Sumitomo Kichizaemon, the 15th generation Sumitomo conglomerate head.Was supposed to become the 16th generation head of the Sumitomo family, but was disinherited due to devoting himself to painting and art from a young age.Since then, further devoted himself to collecting paintings and artwork. Had friendly relations with Kishida Ryusei and others. Created many ceramic works. Most of his collection is stored in Sen-oku Hakuko Kan (Sakyo, Kyoto). Particularly collected many works of Buddhist art from Japan and China, copper works, and antique art from the Ming and Qing dynasties. (more…)

Suwa Sozan 4th 四代 諏訪蘇山

1970-femaleBorn as the 3rd daughter of the 3rd generation Suwa Sozan and the 12th generation Nakamura Sotetsu. Learned ceramics from her father and Japanese lacquer techniques from her mother. Learned basic techniques at Kyoto Municipal Ceramic Technical High School and Kyoto Municipal Traditional Industrial Technical Training Institute.Then started making ceramics seriously after working at the kiln of her father, the 3rd generation Suwa Sozan. Presented works at the Nakamura Sotetsu Exhibition under the name of Nakamura Koki, but became the 4th generation Suwa Sozan when the 3rd generation Sozan retired in 2002 at the age of 70 after 50 years (more…)

Suzuki Tomio 鈴木富雄

1948-maleshino potteryAttracted by Shino ware, studied ceramics almost by himself and opened Sangetsu kiln in Yawata Kyoto in 1988.Hardly exhibited at any particular exhibitions since then, but presented works at famous department stores in Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka, Toyama, Hiroshima, Fukuyama, Nagasaki and various other locations every year.Specialized in Shino ware, making Nezumi-Shino ware in particular with manly strength. Latest works include Yohen Purple Gold Shino ware with a gold sheen. Received high praise for tea bowls and large sake cups. (more…)