Japanese potters

Kawasaki Waraku 川崎和楽

1936 –maleraku potteryKawasaki Waraku is presently the seventh-generation head of a pottery in Kyoto that specializes in Raku ware tea bowls.The pottery began during the Bunsei era (1818 to 1830), when founder Shichizaemon, who ran a tea house in front of Yasaka Shrine called “Tanzaku Sakura,“ began making unglazed pottery in addition to running his tea house. The pottery switched to making Raku ware from the second generation, and has continued making tea bowls in the Raku ware style ever since. The pottery has also been graced with the honor of being able to present its work to the imperial (more…)

Kato Shun’ei 加藤春永

1936-Kato Shun’ei hails from a family of potters in Kyoto whose lineage can be traced back to the founder of Seto ware, Kato Kagemasa. He opened a kiln at Mount Ogura, Saga and went independent in 1974. In 1977, he held his first solo exhibition at Dobashi Gallery, where he further held subsequent exhibitions in 1980, ‘83, and ‘86. He also held a solo exhibition at Kyoto Hotel in 1989. He opened a workshop in Arashiyama in 1979.He centers on making tea bowls using Seto, ash, and iron glazes. His works have received certifications from such figures as Hounsai, the (more…)

Kawase Chikushun 2nd 二代 川瀬竹春

1923-2007maleOf Koyorogi-gama kiln. Real name: Junichi. He was born the first son of Kawase Chikushun I, and trained under his father to learn techniques such as blue and white dyeing.In 1949, he moved with his father from their kiln in Gifu to Mitsui Jozan Kiln located in Taiso, Kanagawa. In 1960, they established the new Koyorogi-gama kiln.He inherited the title of Chikushun II after his father’s passing in 1979, and continued his father’s traditions of blue and white dyeing and red ceramic painting together with a wide range of styles, including those utilizing kinrande (‘gold brocades’), Chinese ware named ki-nankin, (more…)

Kawase Takeshi 川瀬竹志

1953 – 2007maleKawase Takeshi was born the second son of Kawase Chikushun II. In 1976, he began training and creating works at Koyorogi-gama, his father’s kiln established in Oiso.He held his first solo exhibition in 1986 in Kandori. Afterward, he continued presenting his works at solo exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka. In 1991, he opened his own kiln in Yugawara and went independent.He is the younger brother to Kawase Shinobu, and nephew to Kawase Mitsuyuki.In addition to continuing Kawase Chikushun I’s tradition and studying Chinese-style blue and white dyes and red ceramic paintings, he has also created works that excel (more…)

Katsuo Seiryudo 1st 初代 勝尾青龍洞

1906 – 1984malekyo potteryKatsuo Seiryudo was a Kyo ware potter. He was skilled creating modern-style shapes and vibrant glazes, and worked primarily with white porcelain and celadon porcelain. Before the war, he presented his works at the Bunten Exhibition. After the war, he actively presented at the Nitten Exhibition and through solo exhibitions.He has left behind many masterful decorative works, including incense burners, vases, and ornaments. (more…)

Kawamoto Rekitei 河本礫亭

1895 – 1975maleKawamoto Rekitei worked as a skilled craftsman of blue and white porcelain. His major awards include an honors award at the 1914 Porcelain Ware Competition and a gold medal at the 1921 Peace Exposition. In 1972, he became a prefecturally-designated important intangible cultural property of Aichi. His adopted son, Kawamoto Goro, is a popular potter. (more…)

Kato Tozaburo 31st 三十一代 加藤唐三郎

1948-maleseto potteryKato Tozaburo XXXI has a rich award history. He received his first award when he was selected for a prize at the 1974 Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition. From 1978, he received another award at the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, as well as at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. After receiving an honorable mention award at the 1979 Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, he went on to receive the Chunichi Award, the Aichi Prefectural Governor’s Award, the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition Award, and the Aichi Prefecture Board of Education Award.In 1991, he inherited the title of Tozaburo XXXI, and has continued (more…)

Kato Sakusuke 4th 四代 加藤作助

1909 – 1996maleseto potteryBorn the first son of Kato Sakusuke III, Kato Sakusuke IV was the 25th in line from Kato Kagemasa, the founder of Seto ware.He remained in Kyoto after graduating from the Kyoto Vocational School for Industrial Crafts in 1932, continuing his training there for three years. Later, he returned to Seto and began making pottery under the guidance of his father. He inherited the title of Sakusuke IV in 1944.Afterward, he devoted himself to studying the traditional techniques of Oribe, Kuro-oribe, Ki-Seto, and Ofuke, creating masterful ceramic works, including tea bowls, basins, plates, and dishes used during (more…)

Kawamura Kitaro 河村熹太郎

1899-1966maleKawamura Kitaro was the second son of Kawamura Usaburo. He trained under Kawamura Seizan and Kitaoji Rosanjin, and opened a kiln in Gojozaka. He presented works at such exhibitions as the Teiten Exhibition and the Shin-bunten Exhibition.In 1920, he formed the ceramic arts group Akatsuchi (‘red clay’) together with Kusube Yaichi, Yagi Isso, and Kawai Einosuke. In 1927, he was awarded a prize at the 8th Teiten Exhibition.Further, in 1935, he joined the Existing Crafts Art Society, during which time he befriended people such as sculptor Takamura Toyochika.He continued to be active after the war with efforts such as serving (more…)

Kanai Shunzan 金井春山

1902 – 1982bizen potteryKanai Shunzan is a well-known name in Bizen ware, and was famous for his skill in hand-sculpted ware. He left behind many wonderful works, including ornaments of lions and people, as well as pots and vases.In 1919, he apprenticed himself to Nishimura Shunko and practiced for more than ten years. He is a master craftsman of the Showa period, who has continued the style of his master Nishimura Shunko and devoted his life to craftsmanship. In 1959, he presented a crane ornament to the Crown Prince on his wedding day.He also worked for many years at the (more…)

Kawajiri Ikkan 川尻一寛

1930 – 2008malekyo potteryBorn the third-generation heir to the Kyoto Kiyomizu ware Teizan-gama kiln, Kawajiri Ikkan began seriously producing works after graduating from Kyoto University of Arts. He has presented many works at exhibitions such as the Nitten Exhibition, the Kyoten Exhibition, and the Modern Ceramic Exhibition, among others, and has received the Special Selection Award and the Hokuto Award at the 16th and 20th Kaiso-Nitten Exhibitions in 1984 and 1988 respectively.He has also presented works at the Modern Industrial Crafts Exhibition and the Kyoto Potters Club Exhibition. He primarily centers on Kyo ware porcelain, and has made eloquent pieces (more…)

Kato Monemon 6th 六代 加藤紋右衛門

1853 – 1911maleseto porcelainKato Monemon VI is part of a family of Seto ware potters who have passed down the title of Monemon for generations. The first-generation Monemon was active from around 1764 to 1780. The first three generations worked with firing pottery, but Monemon IV switched from firing pottery to firing porcelain in 1827 to meet the demands of the time.Monemon VI inherited his titled in 1870. He prepared for the new reforms issued by the Meiji government by refining raw materials and registering trademarks, and received high praises at exhibitions. Entering the decline of Meiji ceramic arts, in (more…)

Kato Zenji 3rd 三代 加藤善治

1848 – 1918maleseto potteryZenji is a name passed down through the generations of a family of potters in Owari.The first-generation potter was named Zenemon, who took on the artist name of Sobaitei and primarily created tea ware that paid homage to older works during the Bunka-Bunsei period from 1804 to 1830. He was also known for producing around 2,000 Kobo Daishi statues, which he distributed to the common people of the area, earning him the nickname “Kobo Zenji.”After Zenji I went into seclusion during the Tempo era (1830 to 1844), he passed his titles of Zenji and Sobaitei down to (more…)

Kato Gosuke 加藤五輔

1837 – 1915malemino porcelainKato Gosuke was born the first son of Kato Kaemon, who served at Kyoto’s Murakumo-gosho temple making blue and white ceramics.From the end of the Tokugawa shogunate to the early-Meiji era, he worked as a high-level artisan at Nishimura Enji III’s studio in Tajimi. Afterward, he went independent and worked under the name Seto Engosuke, using the skills he had learned to create products aimed overseas.He is well known as a quintessential Mino ware potter of the Meiji era, and was selected for a prize at the 1878 Exposition Universelle in Paris. (more…)

Kawakita Atsushi 川喜田敦

1938 –maleKawakita Atsushi was born the grandson of ceramics master Kawakita Handeishi.He briefly went to work for Takashimaya after graduating from university, and later went into forestry work. In 1977, he set his sights on the world of ceramics, holding his first solo exhibitions in 1981 and ‘82 in Tsu (Mie) and Tokyo. Since then, he has presented his works primarily at solo exhibitions at department stores.In 2001, he inherited the title of “Handeishi II.” (more…)

Kato Seizo 加藤清三

1931-1979maleshino potteryKato Seizo was born the son of Kato Kageaki, who was the twelfth in line from Toso, a legendary figure in the history of Mino. Kato Seizo felt close to ceramic arts from a young age, and received training from his father to learn pottery techniques. He began genuinely producing pieces in 1972, one year before his father passed away, when he received his status as the 13th-generation head of the family business.Afterward, he went on to become staggeringly prolific: he received numerous awards at exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and Chubu Branch Exhibition, the Japan Ceramic (more…)

Kato Tatsumi 加藤達美

1929 – 2003maleBorn the first son of Kato Hajime, who was named a living national treasure, Kato Tatsumi was raised feeling close to ceramic arts from a young age. He entered the Tokyo Fine Arts School in 1941 after graduating from an industrial craft training facility set up by the Ministry of Education.He traveled to Europe after graduating, studying at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1956, and training under Kaj Franck at the Arabia ceramics company. After returning to Japan, he presented works at the Nitten Exhibition and through solo exhibitions while he worked as a teacher (more…)

Kawai Einosuke 河合栄之助

1883 – 1962malekyo potteryKawai Einosuke was born the child of Kyo ware potter Kawai Zuho, and was the younger brother to Kawai Unosuke. He was familiar with ceramics from a young age, and inherited the family business together with his older brother.Before the war, he submitted his works to a number of government-sponsored exhibitions, and received accolades such as the Special Selection Award at the Bunten Exhibition. After the war, he worked numerous times as a judge at the Nitten Exhibition.He created a wide variety of works, from tableware to tea bowls, which, in addition to traditional Kyo ware techniques, (more…)

Kaga Zuizan 3rd 三代 加賀瑞山

1944 –malebanko potteryKaga Zuizan III was born into the Kaga Zuizan family of Banko ware potters. He started making ceramics when he began learning from his grandfather (Kaga Zuizan I) after graduating high school.He mainly presents new works at solo exhibitions held at stores and galleries, and has been certified both as a prefecturally-designated important intangible cultural property of Mie and an important intangible cultural property of Kuwano city.In additional to being known for his traditional techniques, he also acts as the main figurehead of modern Banko ware, primarily producing tea bowls, and his works have gained notes of authentication (more…)