Japanese potters

Oshima Kokoku 大嶋黄谷

1820–1904maleako-unka potteryOriginally a metal caster, he started learning pottery from Sakune Benjiro, the master of Edo’s Imado ware in 1848, and established “Ako Unka ware” in Ako, Hyogo.He also used the pen name Soshu. (more…)

Okuda Tokio 奥田陶器夫

1932–1981maleshigaraki potteryWhile working as a potter’s wheel technician at the Shigaraki Kiln Research Studio, he also made his own wares and presented them at open exhibitions, and in 1977 he won the Chichibunomiya Cup at the Japan Pottery Exhibition and was a promising new star in Shigaraki ware but unfortunately died young in 1981. (more…)

Oshio Shozan 4th 四代 大塩昭山

1960–maleakahada potteryBorn as the eldest son of the Akahada ware ceramicist, Oshio Shozan the 3rd, after graduating from the Osaka University of Art, he learned at the Ceramics and Porcelain Department of Kyoto Prefecture’s Pottery Technical School, and while studying he presented his works at Kyoto’s Pottery Exhibition from the year 1960, and started devoting himself to pottery at his father’s workshop after graduating, participating in Oshio Shozan Kiln Crafts Exhibition, Nara Prefecture Crafts Exhibition, and Nara Prefecture Young Artist Exhibition, etc., winning many nominations and awards before winning the PARIS Art of Peace Award at the PARIS Art of (more…)

Onishi Rakusai 7th 七代 尾西楽斉

1958–maleakahada potteryBorn into the Onishi family that specialized in Nara Akahada ware, he was familiarized with pottery from a young age and started to learn making pottery under his grandfather, Rakusai the 5th while studying in university, presenting his works in the Nitten, Japan Contemporary Arts and Craft Exhibition, and Nara Prefecture Exhibition, etc. but stopped presenting at group exhibitions after 1997 and started holding individual exhibitions at department stores such as Yokohama’s Takashimaya, Kyoto’s Daimaru, Meitetsu, and Kintetsu, before taking over as Rakusai the 7th in 2003. He also presented his work at the “Yamato Takumi Exhibition” in 2006, (more…)

Oda Seizan 小田清山

1874–1960malekutani porcelainAfter learning ceramics decorating under Higuchi Somatsu in the beginning, he went independent and in 1894 started to use slender brushes to write Chinese poems in fine prints on teacups and later further learned under Nomura Zenkichi to elevate his trade.Using his own unique cursives, he was a master at making highly aesthetic wares that include not only tea cups but also incense holders, tea bowls, and pots inscribed with Hyakunin Isshu poems and new and old Japanese poems.Among many of his successful apprentices is Tamura Kinsei. (more…)

Oshima Kajo 大島霞城

1868–?seto potteryA ceramics decorator and ceramicist of the Edo and Meiji era, he first stayed at Kawamoto Masukichi’s workshop and learned the basics of ceramics decorating from Oide Toko of the Nanga school, and worked as a ceramics decorator at Masukichi’s workshop.Other than that, he also worked as a ceramics decorator for Kato Shuhei and Kawamoto Hanbei’s workshops, and it was said that his technique was extraordinary among the Seto ware decorators, and in 1895 he created the work “Underglazed Four Seasons Tray” together with Masukichi the 2nd. He went independent in the latter period of the Meiji era and (more…)

Takeuchi Toshihiko 竹内俊彦

1932-malekyo potteryAt around 20 years old, he started making pottery independently and won awards at the Kansai Art Exhibition, Kyoto Art Exhibition, and more. After that, he earned favor from Kawakita Handeishi and became his apprentice, holding his first individual exhibition at Osaka’s Maruzen Art Gallery in the same year.In 1971, he established his own kiln in Ohara, Kyoto and mainly presents his work at various individual exhibitions and group exhibitions in many locations.He mainly makes tea leaf containers using his unique Oni-Tenmoku glaze, while also making other artistic tea wares using a range of different techniques like Irabo, Shino, (more…)

Okamoto Eiji 岡本栄司

1924–malearita porcelainWith the vision of applying the traditional techniques and patterns of Imari ware to modern tableware, he makes exquisite Japanese and Western tableware, coffee bowls, and cups, and has won awards at many Crafts Exhibitions. (more…)

Ochiai Miyoko 落合美世子

1945–femaleAfter graduating from university, she became an apprentice under the ornament creator, Suzuki Osamu.In 1974, she was nominated for the first time in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and has been nominated many times after, and in 1977 she established her own pottery studio in Atogawa, Shiga. In 1994, she won the Cultural Honorable Mention from Shiga Prefecture.Her works mainly stem from her extensive observation of China’s Cizhou ware from the Song dynasty, which focuses on iron-pigmented and incised flower paintings on white porcelain and black slip, while in recent years she has also used colored glaze such as candy (more…)

Ooi Kasho 大井可笑

1928–?malehagi potteryOne of the loyalists of Hagi ware, making mainly tea wares such as tea bowls and water canteens at the Tamaso Kiln which makes Hagi ware.He mainly holds individual exhibitions at galleries to present his work.Oi Kasho’s work is often exhibited as Hagi ware, but it is actually Sano ware, fired in Sano, Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The clay used for Sano ware is the same as that used for Hagi ware, so there is no apparent difference in appearance. Sano potteryDuring the Edo period (1603-1867), about 70 potters were engaged in pottery in the Sano area. Sano Pottery (more…)

Okuda Eizan 奥田英山

1944–maleshigaraki potteryBorn into a family that makes Shigaraki ware, after graduating from high school, he was influenced by his father to start making ceramic wares, holding his first individual exhibition at the Shigaraki Gallery Pottery Studio and went on to present his wares at individual exhibitions in galleries and Mitsukoshi department stores all over the region.In 1987, he gained the favor of Shimizu Kosho, the Head Priest of Todai-ji Temple, and learned the ways of tea ceremony and tea wares in general and received his note of approval. (more…)

Ogawa Choraku 3rd 三代 小川長楽

1947–maleraku potteryOgawa Yukio. Born as the eldest son of Choraku, he trained under his father, learned glaze combinations and clay firing techniques at the Kyoto Municipal Pottery Research Studio and took over as Choraku the 3rd in 1992.During that time, he was invited to present his wares at the Vallauris Pottery Exhibition in France in 1974, and he also held his first individual exhibition on the same year at Nihonbashi’s Mitsukoshi. After that, he held countless individual exhibitions at Ikebukuro’s Seibu, Yokohama’s Takashimaya etc., and a parent and child exhibition at Numazu’s Seibu in 1980, and was awarded with the (more…)

Oketani Teiichi 桶谷定一

Taisho era–maleThis kiln in Kyoto’s Higashiyama Imakumano was established by the founder in 1925 and has been inherited by the 2nd generation.The founder displayed his works at Imperial exhibitions and Bun-ten exhibitions before the war, and the Nitten exhibition after the war and has won nominations in them. Teiichi the 2nd learned pottery techniques from his father after graduating from Kyoto’s Fushimi High School Pottery Department in 1955, and proceeded to be nominated and awarded mainly at the Nitten exhibitions, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and Japan Crafts Kinki Branch Exhibition. He has also won awards at the Kyoto Crafts Exhibition, (more…)

Ogasawara Toemon 7th 七代 小笠原藤右衛門

1943-malenabeshima porcelain Operating one of the kilns patronized by the Nabeshima Clan in the Edo period, after the Meiji Restoration and the abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures, he continued to make ceramics for the townspeople and kept the dignity and elegance of the Nabeshima style alive until today.In recent years, it has been renamed from “Rozan Toemon Kiln” to “Ogasawara Toemon Kiln”. They make pots, incense containers, decorated plates, tableware, and sake wares with elaborate paintings. (more…)

Ozeki Sakujiro 5th 五代 尾関作十郎

maleinuyama pottery From the mid to late Edo era, the Inuyama ware flourished, but lost the patronage of the feudal lords during the Tokugawa shogunate–Meiji era, forcing their business to decline rapidly. However, after entering the Meiji era, the original Ozeki Sakujiro established the Inuyama Ceramics Company to revive the art.After that, the traditional pottery techniques were kept alive from the 2nd through to the 5th generation. (more…)

Okada Gyozan 岡田暁山

End of Edo period-malekyo-satsuma potteryWith the passing of, Hattori Gyozan, the 6th generation, in 1877, Omiya Chobei who operated the pottery wholesaler in Kiyomizu’s Gojo and was a good friend of his, inherited the brand “Gyozan” and changed his name to Okada Gyozan and started making ceramic wares. In 1998, Okada Yoshiaki took over as Gyozan the 8th.The Gyozans have participated countless times in World Expos, such as the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair in the Meiji era before he took over, and the 1924 Paris World Expo, contributing to the development of Kyo ware, and in 1986 they established an (more…)

Oae Jindo 2nd 二代 大饗仁堂

1913–1982malebizen potteryBorn as the eldest son of the original Jindo, he decided to succeed his father at around the age of 20.After that, he trained under his father to learn his amazing chiseling and hand molding skills as well as becoming an apprentice of Mimura Tokei.While also creating works that his father excelled at, especially ornaments of people, flowers, and birds, he also adapted to the taste of the ages by depicting traditional craft art on the tea pots to set himself apart and create wares that were more creative than his father’s.His son-in-low, Omori Teruhiko inherited the Jindo Kiln. (more…)

Oae Jindo 1st 初代 大饗仁堂

1890–1954malebizen potteryCreated carvings or sculptures in the form of ornaments and tea pots without handles, modelled based on flowers, birds, and people.He excelled at making tea pots with handles resembling dragons, lotus, gavels, and rats. He is also highly skilled at making frog sculptures and is often called “Frog Jindo” to reflect this, and has been designated as Okayama’s Important Intangible Cultural Property.His eldest son, Yutaka has taken over him as Jindo the 2nd and inherits his art. (more…)

Okuiso Taigaku 奥磯太覚

1965–malemino potteryBorn as the eldest son of Okuiso Eiroku, a master ceramicist of Mino and Shino ware, he was influenced by his father and enjoyed pottery but only devoted himself to making wares after he graduated from university and when his father passed away in 1987, inheriting the kiln.He continues to hold individual exhibitions of his tea wares including tea bowls made in the Shino and Oribe tradition. (more…)

Nakamura Teruko 中村照子

1933-femaleFrom Bihoro, Abashiri District. Trained at the Tokyo Pottery Research Institute. Built a kiln in Sapporo in 1965. Selected for the Kofukai Exhibition, the Traditional Crafts Musashino Exhibition, and the New Works Exhibition. Won the Hokkaido Craft Festival Prize, etc. Member of the Japan Crafts Association Tokyo Branch and the Hokkaido Ceramics Association. Focuses on blue-and-white ceramics, straw ash glaze, black clay with white slip, and three-color pottery. (more…)