Japanese potters

Sugie Oken 杉江翁軒

1881-1963maletokoname potteryBorn as a child of Sugie Juzan, the 2nd son of the 1st generation Jumon (a theory poses that he was the 3rd child of the 1st generation Jumon), and received guidance from his father and grandfather. Also part of the 1st class at Tokoname Ceramic School.At first worked in creating earthenware pipes, which was the main industry of Tokoname, and was not independent as an artist. Gradually came to produce excellent ceramic sculptures and became known as a master of teapots. Opened Tokoname Shichihonmatsu Ceramic Studio in his later years.Mainly created teapots and left works that copy red (more…)

Suzuki Goro 鈴木五郎

1941-maleDid not have a particular teacher. Started making ceramics through unique research and study in 1957 and was selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1962. Was selected for the Kofukai Exhibition for the first time in 1964. Won the Top Prize at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1966, the Award of Excellence at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1967, the Honorable Mention Award at the Chunichi International Ceramic Exhibition in 1971, the ’75 Award at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1975, and in recent years, the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2002. During this time, held (more…)

Suwa Sozan 2nd 二代 諏訪蘇山

1895-1977femaleThe adopted child of the 1st generation Sozan and a female potter. Stood out for celadon with a gentle atmosphere while carrying on the style of the 1st generation. (more…)

Suda Seika 1st 初代 須田青華

1862-1927malekutani porcelainGraduated from the Faculty of Ceramic Painting at the Ishikawa Prefectural Industry Institute.Then, after training in Kyoto, worked at Kutani Toki Kaisha. After becoming independent, mainly researched and fired Ko-Kutani ware, Nabeshima ware, and Imari ware in his own kiln. Attracted a lot of attention for making excellent porcelain with shonzui and red paintings.Also held friendly relations with Kitaoji Rosanjin, and the sign of the current generation of the kiln was created by Rosanjin. (more…)

Suzuki Tetsu 鈴木徹

1964-maleoribe potteryBorn as the 1st son of Suzuki Osamu, the living national treasure. Pursued ceramics himself. After graduating from the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Training School in 1988, was selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition (and selected repeatedly thereafter) for the first time in 1991 and the Tokai Traditional Craft Art Exhibition (and selected repeatedly thereafter) for the first time in 1994 and recommended to become an Official Member of the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition in 1997. Won the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education Award at the Tokai Traditional Craft Art Exhibition in 1999 and the Tokai Traditional (more…)

Suda Seika 4th 四代 須田青華

1940-malekutani porcelainKutani ware. After graduating from university, trained in ceramics under his father and grandfather to carry on his family business. Became the 4th generation in 1981 upon the death of his father, the 3rd generation Suda Seika. (more…)

Sugiyama Kenshin 杉山見心

Mid-Edo Period and BeyondmaleWas a servant of the Owari Domain who is said to have started making ceramics as a hobby during his time outside of work.Favored tea gatherings, gave his tea room the name of Fuguan, and held friendly relations with Kawakami Fuhaku, a tea ceremony master at the time, when working in Edo.Works focus on sets for preparing powdered tea. Mainly excelled at Seto glaze, and his techniques were highly praised as being on par with potters at the time. (more…)

Sugie Jyumon 杉江寿門

1828-1898maletokoname potteryAn artisan of the Chinese Qing style and one of the 3 artists to be trained by Kin Shiko. Said to be the best at succeeding the master’s techniques and particularly known as a master of red stoneware teapots.Also worked on hand-formed crabs, lions, and other sculptures. (more…)

Suwa Sozan 1st 初代 諏訪蘇山

1852-1922maleimperial household artistMoved to Tokyo in 1875 to study ceramic painting under Saiunro Kyokuzan. Established a ceramic factory in Oi, Shinagawa the following year. Then returned home in 1883, served as an assistant at Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial Experimentation Institute, worked at Asukai Kiyoshi’s Kutani Toki Kaisha, and worked in the Faculty of Sculpture at Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial School.Was invited to the Kyoto Kinkozan Ceramic Factory in 1900 and became independent in Gojozaka, Kyoto in 1907. Almost perfectly restored celadon works by Long Quan Yao kiln in China and received praise for his Sozan celadon.Started putting effort into restoring Korai kiln (more…)

Suminokura Gennei 角倉玄寧

1799-1873maleippodo potteryThe 11th generation Suminokura Ryoi. Started Ippodo ware. A shogunate official, he was in charge of the Yodo River system of cargo and passenger transport ships. He was interested in ceramics and built a kiln at his villa in Saga, where he apprenticed himself to Nin’ami Dohachi (Takahashi Dohachi II) and others to produce tea ceremony utensils and sake cups. The work was marked with the number ‘Ippodo’. (more…)

Suzuki Kiyoshi 鈴木清

1903-1964maleThe 2nd generation Suzuki Seiko. Born as the 1st son of Suzuki Seiko from Kiyomizu, Kyoto. Studied under Tomimoto Kenkichi, who was in his later years, at Sennyu-ji, and made ceramics with him. Sought to pursue painting techniques. His designs for painting and compositions for porcelain pictures were similar to those of Tomimoto Kenkichi. Created many painted porcelain works and mainly presented these works at Nitten Exhibitions. Appointed as an Official Member of the Japan Craft Art Society, which was newly established, in his later years. Also became the 2nd generation upon the passing of his father (1st generation Seiko). (more…)

Kizaki Bokuju 木崎卜什

1810-1854malekoto porcelainHe studied Kano-style art in Kyoto at age 16 and studied porcelain painting in Arita and Karatsu afterwards. In 1831, he returned to Yamashiro village and built a kiln in his own garden, creating pottery using a technique of fine red painting with gold glaze. This is said to have had a major influence on the emergence of the Miyamoto Kiln Hachiro technique. In 1850, he was called to Hikone Domain and worked to improve and develop Koto ware, particularly its red painting and gold glaze. Kizaki Banki, who contributed to modern Kutani ware, is his child. 古九谷美術館 Kokutani (more…)

Kitamura Yaichiro 北村弥一郎

1868-1926maleBorn on May 1. Graduated from the Tokyo Occupational School (today the Tokyo Industrial University) and traveled to France to study in 1902, where he studied Western ceramics. After returning to Japan, he served as the head of ceramics at the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce Industrial Research Institute, director and chief engineer at Shofu Inc. in Kyoto, and technical advisor on Japanese ironstone china. He passed away on 20 March at the age of 59. (more…)

Kizaki Banki 木崎万亀

1834-1895malekutani porcelainHe was born the eldest son of Kizaki Bokuju, and studied under Eiraku Wazen under the orders of the Daishoji feudal lord. Afterwards, he served at the Kyoto Omuro Kiln and received the Hokyo name of Banki.After returning to his domain, he moved his kiln to Kasugayama, Yamashiro, and contributed to modern Kutani ware, focusing on red painting on ceramics and gold glaze. (more…)

Kitamura Gazen 北村賀善

1938-kyo potteryHe received the artist name Gazen from a monk at Niwaji Temple, who took one character from Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, the birthplace of his predecessor. He also received the name Rakuto Kiln for his kiln from Kakitani Kaoshi, a person of culture.As a creator of traditional Kiyomizu ware, he creates articles that were easy to use, from small dishes to large bowls and vases. Blue and white ceramics are his forte. (more…)

Kiyomizu Shichibey 清水七兵衛

1818-1891malekyo potteryHe was the eldest son of Kiyomizu Rokubey II and learned pottery from his father Rokubey.Although as the eldest son of the second Rokubey, it was planned for him to become the third Rokubey, it is said that he was not allowed to inherit the Rokubey name as he was a heavy drinker, and his younger brother became the third Rokubey instead while he became Shichibei in a new family branch. However, his ceramic skills were extremely good, and he demonstrated talent that was in no way inferior to the second Rokubey. (more…)

Kitamura Yozan 2nd 二代 北村陽山

1937-kyo potteryHe studied pottery in Kyoto under Suwa Sozan, and became an independent potter in Jagatani, Sonobe, where he worked mainly on celadon incense burners, vases, and bowls. After succeeding the second Yozan in 1968, he moved to Higashiyama Imakumano and switched to the manufacture of general ceramics with dyeing techniques. (more…)

Kikko Jusoken 8th 八代 吉向十三軒

1948-malekikko potteryHe was born the fourth son of Kikko Jusoken VII and studied traditional techniques under his father. He became the eighth Kikko Jusoken in 1971.The Jusoken Kiln is today at the foot of Ikomayama Mountain in Higashiosaka, and he has a workshop there.He mainly focuses on tea bowls. He is well-trusted by the Urasenke tea-ceremony school and also creates Hounsai and Sabo congratulatory gifts. (more…)