Japanese potters

Kikko Jusoken 6th 六代 吉向十三軒

1904-1970malekikko potteryHe was born the third son of the fifth Kikko Jusoken, but as his eldest brother Yukiji passed away at a young age, he inherited the family business and became the sixth holder of the Jusoken name.His works develop the family tradition of Cochin-ware soft-paste porcelain tea bowls to include tea cups and luncheon baskets. He also often made simple articles with writing for celebratory occasions. (more…)

Kikko Shogetsu 5th 五代 吉向松月

1860-1924malekikko potteryThe eldest son of the fourth Kikko Jihei, he divided their kiln in Jusan with his younger brother Jitsuzo (the fifth Kikko Jusoken), and set up a kiln near Kozu Shrine in Osaka’s Chuo area.Later, after the 1912 south Osaka fire, he moved the kiln to Hirakata, and made pottery in Sagano, Kyoto for a period of time. He also set up a kiln inside Takagiri-in in Daitokuji Temple and received the artist name Ryuzan from Monk Genpo. (more…)

Kikko Shogetsu 8th 八代 吉向松月

1952-malekikko potteryThe eldest son of the seventh Kikko Shogetsu, he began pottery under his father’s guidance.While continuing the family tradition of Cochin-ware soft-paste porcelain tea bowls, he also pursued his own unique exploration of glaze and created works with vivid pale blue-green, purple, and chestnut glaze.In 2000, he became the eighth-generation Kikko Shogetsu and now exhibits his works at solo exhibitions in various areas. (more…)

Kikko Shogetsu 6th 六代 吉向松月

1884-1950malekikko potteryHe was the eldest son of the fifth Shogetsu and inherited the family business.Apart from continuing the firing of pottery under his father’s guidance, he also learned calligraphy and haiku-writing from Ikuta Nansui, who was close to his father at the time, learned the techniques of Japanese painting from Kano Naganobu, and diligently studied culture and craft in general. In 1931, when Prince and Princess Chichibunomiya visited Kikko Kiln, they purchased his works; when the current (Showa) Emperor visited Osaka the following year, he also bestowed the honor of purchase. (more…)

Kikko Jusoken 5th 五代 吉向十三軒

1866-1933malekikko potteryHe was the second son of the fourth Kikko Jihei. Manzaburo (later the fifth Kikko Shogetsu) was his elder brother.In 1891, he divided his kiln in Jusan from his brother Manzaburo and set up a kiln at the northern slope of Kozu Shrine in Osaka’s Chuo area (not the same as Shogetsugama kiln). However, after the large fire in the south of Osaka in 1912, he moved his kiln to Tennoji. water jar 9,205 JPY (more…)

Kimura Mototsugu 木村元次

1936-maleHe started full-fledged creation in 1970 and has presented in his works at various open-recruitment exhibitions such as the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, the Japan Ceramics Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, the Tokai Ceramics Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, and others. He held his first solo exhibition in 1976 and has held them repeatedly since then. (more…)

Kinkozan Sobei 7th 七代 錦光山宗兵衛

1868-1927malekyo satsuma potteryHe was the son of the sixth Sobei and inherited the family headship in 1884. He worked to expand the market for overseas exports that his father had promoted, added improvements to the Kyo-Satsuma techniques that his father had created, and was also successful in gold and silver glazing.He exhibited his Kyo-Satsuma ware at the World’s Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893 and his art nouveau-style works at the fifth National Industrial Fair in 1903. He was involved in the founding of the Kyoto City Ceramics Research Institute and the Ceramics Training Centre. At the end of the Meiji (more…)

Kikuyama Taneo 菊山当年男

1884-1960maleiga potteryAfter joining the Asahi Newspaper in Osaka, he studied under Saito Mokichi and was active as an Araragi-style poet. He was also committed to research on Matsuo Basho, as well as research into and revival of local ancient Iga ware, and has received certification as protecting intangible cultural assets in Mie Prefecture. He also left behind many of his own pottery works. (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 8th 八代 清水六兵衛

1954-malekyo potteryThe eldest son of the seventh Kiyomizu Rokubey. After graduating from university, he learned pottery at the Kyoto Pottery Training School and the Kyoto Industrial Research Institute. In 1980, he held his first group exhibition, and has exhibited his works at many exhibitions since then, including open-recruitment and group exhibitions. He has been repeatedly selected and won prizes, and became the eighth-generation Rokubey in 2000. His representative award is the 2004 Japan Ceramics Association Prize, among others. (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 7th (清水九兵衛) 七代 清水六兵衛 (Kiyomizu Kyubei)

1922-2006malekyo potteryHe is also known as Kiyomizu Kyubei. He began working with pottery while still studying, as the successor of his father-in-law the sixth Rokubey. After graduation, he won the Hokuto Prize and special prizes at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition and served as a judge, but later moved away from pottery to devote himself to the world of 3D molding, and created avant-garde sculptures and works of spatial art.After becoming a sculptor, he received numerous prizes at various sculpture exhibitions, such as the 1976 Mainichi Crafts Prize, the 1977 Japan Crafts First Prize, and the 1998 Nakahara Teijiro Prize. (more…)

Kinoshita Yoshinori 木下義謙

1898-1996maleHis father was Meiji University president and secretary-general Kinoshita Tomosaburo, and his elder brother was Kinoshita Takanori, an artist who created Western-style paintings. Raised in this environment, he aimed to become an artist like his brother.After graduation, he was selected for the eighth Nishina Exhibition in 1921 for the first time. In 1927, he received a prize at the 14th exhibition, and was nominated to become a Nishina member in 1931.From 1928 to 1932, he traveled to Europe and studied under Leger and Marchand, and exhibited his works at the Salon des Indépendants and Salon d’Automne. After returning to Japan, (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 6th 六代 清水六兵衛

1901-1980malekyo potteryHe was the eldest son of Rokubey V and succeeded as the sixth Rokubey in 1946.He studied at the Tokyo School of Art and Crafts and the Tokyo Technical Painting School. In 1927, he exhibited his works in the newly established crafts department at the 8th Imperial Academy art exhibition and was selected.Afterwards, he received special prizes in 1931 and 1934, and served as a judge. After the war, he exhibited his works at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition. In 1957, he received the Japan Art Academy Prize for his Genyo Kusamura Kahei vase. In 1962, he became a (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 5th 五代 清水六兵衛

1875-1959malekyo potteryBorn as the eldest son of Rokubey IV and became the fifth-generation Rokubey in 1913. Used the artist name Rokuwa.He studied painting under Kono Bairei from his youth, and was initiated into pottery by his grandfather and father. In 1895, he exhibited his works in the fourth National Industrial Fair and won a prize. He was inspired by the works of Miyagawa Kosan and Seifu Yohei, who were the most active at the time, and decided to truly devote himself to ceramics.His style included many new experiments and challenges, such as Otowa ware, which incorporated glazing techniques from unlined (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 4th 四代 清水六兵衛

1848-1920malekyo potteryBorn as the eldest son of Rokubey III and became the fourth-generation successor upon his father’s death in 1883.Learned painting from Shiokawa Bunrin from a young age and had a close relationship with Kono Bairei, Tomioka Tessai, and others.His style includes traditional items such as Shigaraki and Iga ware as well as the Nanban, Irabo, Ninsei, and Kenzan styles. He left behind many simple and gentle works.He was also skilled at carving, particularly crab molds. In 1889, he received the bronze medal at the Paris World Fair. He otherwise rarely exhibited his works at fairs and exhibitions, and was (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 3rd 三代 清水六兵衛

1820-1883koto porcelainkyo potteryBorn as the second son of Rokubey II, he was initially apprenticed to a safflower wholesale store, but as his father started a new family branch by designating his eldest son as Kiyomizu Shichibei, he was sent back home and became the third Rokubey in 1838 at the age of 18.Was employed in the Ii family of Hikone, which created Koto ware. Created ceramic six-sided snow-viewing lanterns on the request of Imperial Palace Military Commissioner Okuho Osuminokami and Hasegawa Hizennokami. In the Meiji era, he was active in various fairs and received the bronze medal in the fourth (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 2nd 二代 清水六兵衛

1790-1860malekyo potteryHis style carried on the style of the first Rokubey in a unique individual way that incorporates the preferences of the time. He created tea and green-tea utensils, tableware, and other works. After he passed the family business on to the third Rokubey and retired, he adopted the artist name Rokuichi and worked on personal ceramics. (more…)

Kinouchi Yoshi 木内克

1892-1977maleBorn in Ibaraki. Learned from Asakura Fumio. Exhibited his work “Heikichi” at the 10th Bunten Exhibition and was selected.Traveled to Europe afterwards and studied under Antoine Bourdelle at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière.Exhibited his works at the 23rd Nishina Exhibition after returning to Japan and received the special prize.His works were certified exempt from review at the Bunten Exhibition, and certified as the art ornaments for the UNESCO International League of Molding Art in 1955.Received the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon in 1970 and the Third Class of the Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1972.Selection committee member of (more…)

Kinkozan Sobei 6th 六代 錦光山宗兵衛

1823-1884malekyo satsuma potteryBecame the sixth-generation successor of the Kinkozan family, which specialized in Kyo ware for generations, from the mid-Edo period. Successfully established an overseas export route in Kyoto during the Keio era in the Bakumatsu period, and incorporated the luxurious and gorgeous designs of Satsuma ware into Kyo ware around 1872 as the Meiji period began to create Kyo Satsuma ware, winning the silver medal at the Vienna World Fair and the Flower Award at the first National Fair in 1877. His works were later exhibited at the Sydney and Amsterdam Fairs as well. Won the bronze and gold (more…)

Kiwa Kozan 貴和皓山

1944-Started a kiln in Kyoto, and was given the artist name of Kozan by Matsuyama Banmitsu, the chief abbot of Myoshinji Temple, in 1984. Mainly works on ceramics from China’s Southern Song dynasty, and is particularly successful with tenmoku ceramics that go through color variation during firing.Works have been well-rated internationally. Within Japan, they have been purchased by Highness Prince Mikasa, Daitokuji temple,and the Kyocera Art Museum. (more…)