Japanese potters

Kawamoto Rikichi 川本利吉

Late Edo period – Meiji periodmaleseto potteryRan a kiln that manufactured several varieties of ceramics from the Edo period into the Meiji, mainly focusing on manufactured tableware in the early Meiji period for export to the United States. Later expanded into manufacture of a wider range of domestic products. Exhibited at the Domestic Expo of 1877 and the Paris Expo of 1878, receiving a bronze medal. Worked under the name Ishi Hanazono. (more…)

Kawanabe Kanpu 川那邊観風

1873-1947While their primary work was as a designer of textiles and dyes, they also fulfilled the role of tea master for the Urasenke family and of editor for the “Monthly Tea Ceremony Report.” They also led tea ceremonies for the Oomoto group in Kameoka, Kyoto prefecture. Their published works include The Genealogy of Daitokuji, The Flowers of Tearooms, and The Kakemono (Hanging Scrolls) of Tearooms. They built a kiln at home where they produced tea-ware using celadon and ninseiutsushi. (more…)

Katsura Matasaburo 桂又三郎

1901-1986maleWhile he was initially a schoolteacher, from 1921 onward he began to devote himself to research into folklore and ethnology. Starting in the early Showa period, he became interested in the study of kobizen (old Bizen-ware) after researching cultural materials in Okayama. He continued for many years to excavate the remains of abandoned old kilns, study inscriptions, and inspect potter’s marks, producing two publications entitled A Collection of Inbe-ware Potter’s Stamps and A Illustrated Collection of Old Bizen-ware. His achievements were considerable in the field of Bizen-ware research, and he received the Traditional Crafts Industry Achievement Award in 1983. He (more…)

Kashu Sanpei 賀集三平

1844-1909maleminpei potteryNephew of Minpei, founder of Minpei-ware, under whom he studied from an early age. Took over management of the Minpei kiln in 1862 (2nd year of Bunkyu) after the founder retired due to illness, producing works that reflected the traditions and techniques inherited from his uncle. After the beginning of the Meiji period, he established Tantosha and worked independently to initiate overseas trade through the use of densely-glazed paintings on glossy white backgrounds. Exhibited at World Expos overseas. (more…)

Kawasaki Fuzan 川崎冨山

1875-1922maleawata wareA potter working in Kyoto with Awata-ware, he enjoyed painting from an early age. However, instead of becoming a painter, he set up a shop and painted ceramics factory in front of Ryo-onji Temple in the blacksmith’s town of Awata to deal in the sales and export of Awata-ware, later expanding to establish a branch in Kobe Sannomiya Matsuya. At the time, it was common practice to divide the manufacture and painting of Awata-ware into different streams of labor and so Fuzan’s practice involved purchasing base materials from Ogawa Toyoyama and Matano Shozan, painting them in-house and selling them. (more…)

Kato Risho 加藤利昇

1946-kyo potteryWhile the first and second generations primary focus was blue-white dyeing of everyday tableware ceramics, Kato’s interest in the tea ceremony led him into further studies into the ceremony so that he learned a wider variety of techniques and began to focus on tea-ware. Received the Kyoto Traditional Art Achievement Award in 1985. Held his first solo exhibition at Kyoto Takashimaya in 1989 and has since exhibited his work at solo exhibitions primarily at Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya stores. Currently, he is recognized as a top writer for his written works on Omotesenke and Urasenke. (more…)

Kawai Tokuo 河合徳夫

1956-maleBorn in Kyoto. Studied under Kawai Seitoku. Selected for the Nitten, Japan New Crafts Exhibition, and Kyoto Exhibition for the first time in 1984, becoming a regular selection in the following years. Recipient of numerous awards including the Kyoto Exhibition Mayor of Kyoto’s Award. Work purchased twice by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Focused on producing vases, urns, tableware, and other items using delicate painting, inlaid patterns, and original patterns. (more…)

Kawakami Ryuzo 河上龍三

1928-1979malekutani porcelainStudied under Kitade Tojiro starting in 1948 and continued as his assistant for over 20 years. Meanwhile, his own work led to selection for the Central Japan International Ceramics Exhibition and Totokai Exhibition in 1948, the Kansai Exhibition, and the Kansai General Exhibition in 1951, with many more selections following. Three-time prize winner at the Ishikawa Contemporary Art Exhibition. Selected for the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, Japanese Ceramics Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Began teaching practical skills at Fukui University since 1958. (more…)

Kamoda Taro 加守田太郎

1963-maleBorn the eldest son of potter Kamoda Shoji. Following his first solo exhibition at Aoyama Green Gallery in 1986, continued to hold solo exhibitions at the same gallery annually. Focused primarily on solo exhibitions at venues such as Sano Contemporary Crafts Fujinomoya in 1987, Matsumoto City Gallery Eishindo in 1989, Shimodate City Cultural Gallery in 1992, Utsunomiya Ueno Department Store and Utsunomiya Gallery Moe in 1994, Okayama Tenmaya/Okayama Store in 1995.2001 Solo exhibition at Moegi, Mashiko2003 Solo exhibition at Keio Gallery, Keio Department Store, Shinjuku, Tokyo2004 Solo exhibition at Tsukamoto House of Art, Mashiko2010 Solo exhibition at Art Salon Kogen, (more…)

Kamoda Teizo 加守田貞三

1935-2001?maleOlder brother to Kamoda Shoji. Made ceramics in a highly independent manner without contact with pottery associations, presenting his work mainly at solo exhibitions and public exhibitions such as the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition. Died suddenly in 2001 in his mid-60s. Specialized in contemporary ceramics utilizing innovative modeling and geometric patterns, as well as high-fired unglazed ceramics. (more…)

Kato Keishu 加藤景秋

1899-1972malemino pottery12th generation ancestor of Mino ceramics artists. Active mainly in Japanese traditional craft exhibitions as well as solo exhibitions, producing traditional ceramics such as tea-ware in a bold and powerful manner informed by his research into Shino-ware from the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600). Designated a preserver of traditional technology as well as a prefectural intangible cultural property. Father of Kato Seizo. (more…)

Kadoya Choju 加登屋長寿

1841-1886maleohi potteryAlso known as Ohi Choju or Kato Choju. Son of Kadoya Kichiemon, apprentice of fifth generation master Ohi Kanbei. Went independent of the family business in 1855 and opened a kiln in Yamanoue-cho in the same year, where he primarily produced ameyu-glaze Ohi tea-ware under the name Choju. Following his death, his son Yoshitaro inherited the business as second generation Choju but changed the name from Kadoya Choju to Kato Choju II. Suwa Sozan was also an apprentice of Kadoya Choju.In 1930, Empress Joumei built a tea room called Shusen-tei in the Akasaka Imperial Palace, and tea ceremony utensils (more…)

Kaneta Tenryu 兼田天龍

1920-2004malehagi potteryAlso known as Kaneta Sanzaemon the 7th. Began work in the family sales business where he was mainly engaged in the wholesale of porcelain. Encouraged by his uncle Kaneda Tokuzo, fifth generation of the Tentoyama kiln, he became involved directly in the creation and production of ceramics under the guidance of Tokuzo and other kiln craftsmen. While active in the family business, he was selected for the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Exhibition for the first time in 1970, after which his work became a regular fixture at many public exhibitions. He also won awards at the Seibu Craft Exhibition, Kyushu (more…)

Kanazawa Shogen 金沢祥元

1925-1980kutani porcelainFirst worked in dyeing and painting, but later moved into ceramics and established a kiln in Tawaramoto, Nara prefecture where they produced decorative plates, bowls, incense burners and other items in the Kutani style featuring gorgeous colors. Member of the Japan Fine Arts Association and Contemporary Art Association. (more…)

Kaneko Rikichi 金子利吉

1823-Meiji periodmaleBorn the third son of a farmer, he also worked from a young age with his family in his parents’ side business of making and firing tiles. Moved to Hakodate in the Ezo region (Hokkaido) in 1847. He is known for contributing to the production of inexpensive high-quality roof tiles using clay from Kamedamachi, which became the leading roof tile manufacturer in Hokkaido and consequently contributed considerably to the reduction of damage by fire. (more…)

Kato Mokuzaemon 加藤杢左衛門

Late Edo periodmaleseto potteryEstablished the first kiln in Seto during the Kansai period (1789-1801), which the second generation (1832-1900) inherited during the Tenpo period (1830-1844) and turned to the production of porcelain at the end of the Edo period in 1867. Certain pieces that were particularly well-received included a large white-blue porcelain vase (8 meters upright) and a large barrel-shaped urn used as a substitute umbrella stand for foreigners. Know as a kiln business that produced many excellent works, some of which became masterpieces, it continued through to the 3rd generation Mokuzaemon (1857-1934) who left his mark in history alongside (more…)

Kato Kanshiro 加藤勘四郎

Late Edo period-Meiji periodmaleseto potteryManufactured white-blue dyed porcelain in Seto, Aichi prefecture under the name Hishikan, ◇ Kan and others. Recipient of the Otorimon Award at the First National Industrial Exhibition in 1877 and Bronze Award at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle, as well as awards at many other exhibitions. Produced a wealth of vases, pots, bonsai pots, sake sets, basins, and other items. (more…)

Ogata Kenzan 尾形乾山

1663-1743malekyo potteryBorn the third son of Ogata Soken of Kariganeya, a kimono fabrics wholesaler in Kyoto, with Ogata Korin as one of his older brothers.He studied under Nonomura Ninsei, learning to create pottery. When he was around 37 years of age, he opened a kiln in Kiyotaki, right near the Ninsei Kiln, and as it was located in northwest Kyoto (which in Japanese, is referred to as the cardinal direction of “Inui”, a word that can be pronounced as “Ken”), he inscribed the signature of “Kenzan” into his products since then.His style was influenced by Ninsei, his master, and Korin, (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…)