Japanese potters

Kawase Chikushun 1st 初代 川瀬竹春

1894-1983maleAfter studying techniques such as blue-white dyeing and red painting under Miura Chikusen in Kyoto, he returned to his hometown Gifu and built a kiln. He also spent time studying and imitating porcelain styles from China’s Ming dynasty, including ancient dyed porcelain, Chinese red painting, and Shonzui. Moved to Oiso, Kanagawa prefecture, in 1949. Awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal in 1966, Order of the Sacred Treasure in 1970, and other honors. (more…)

Kawakami Fuhaku 川上不白

1719-1807male He was born in 1719 as the second son of Kawakami Rokudayu, a vassal of the Mizuno family of the Kii-Shingu domain.He became an apprentice of Nyoshinsai, the seventh generation of Omote-senke tea ceremony school in Kyoto, and participated in the establishment of the seven tea ceremony procedures (Practice methods established to cultivate the spirit and techniques of the tea ceremony).In 1750 (Kan’en 3), he moved to Edo (present-day Tokyo) in response to Nyoshinsai’s wish to spread the Senke tea ceremony in Edo[2]. Later, as the Senke tea ceremony by Fuhaku spread in Edo, with Tanuma Okitsugu as well (more…)

Kawai Toru 河井透

1941-maleStudied traditional styles of pottery such as cinnabar, iron glaze, and persimmon glaze under the guidance of his father Kawai Takekazu and uncle Kawai Kanjiro. Later went independent and built a kiln in Kameoka. Afterwards produced vases, urns pots, and other items using original shapes and patterns based on Kanjiro’s art. In addition to solo exhibitions, he has frequently held three-person exhibitions along with Kanashige Kosuke of Bizen and Kojima Kotaro of Seto. (more…)

Kamoda Shoji 加守田章二

1933-1983maleGraduated in 1956 under the guidance and tutelage of Tomimoto Kenkichi and Kondo Yuzo. After graduation, participated in the establishment of Omika kiln in Ibaraki prefecture. From 1958 he continued his training in Mashiko at the Tsukamoto Ceramics Factory, then built a kiln locally and went independent. Held his first solo exhibition in 1960. First selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition the following year and became a member of the Japan Kogei Association in 1964. Received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1966 and the Takamura Kotaro Award in 1967. Withdrew from the Japan Kogei Association in 1968 ad (more…)

Kawamura Seizan 河村蜻山

1890-1967maleawata potteryWorked at the Meigetsu kiln. Made Awata-ware with his father Kawamura Usaburo and younger brother Kawamura Kitaro. His father Usaburo was a ceramics artist at Obiyama Yohei Ceramics Co., Ltd. After polishing his ceramics skills from 1903 to 1908 as the third student of Kyoto Municipal Ceramics Testing Laboratory. He joined Kamisaka Sekka’s Katomikai Association in 1910. Later built a kiln in Awataguchi and participated in Akadosha with Kusube Yaichi. Moved to Abiko, Chiba prefecture, in 1938, and built the Meigetsu kiln in Meigetsu-dani, Kamakura, Kanagawa prefecture in 1954. (more…)

Kato Keizan 3rd 三代 加藤渓山

1948-malekyo potteryLearned techniques for making ceramics under his father Kato Keizan (2nd generation). Selected for the first time in 1970 for the Japan Contemporary Crafts Art Exhibition, at which he became a consecutive exhibitor as well as at All Kansai Art Exhibition and Kyoto Prefecture Arts and Crafts Exhibition. Also received the Yomiuri Television Broadcasting Award in 1970. Was subsequently selected for the Nitten Exhibition in 1972 and Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition in 1978 (after which he became a regular at these two exhibitions as well). Received high honors such as being selected from the International Ceramics Exhibition to provide (more…)

Kato Keizan 2nd 二代 加藤渓山

1913-1995maleBorn the eldest son of Kato Keizan, he learned basic techniques for glazing and modeling at industrial school and later at the Kyoto National Ceramics Research Institute. In 1931, he began assisting his father at his ceramics workshop and in the same year became a member of the Shinko Kogei Association, which was presided over by Rokubei (5th Generation), from whom he sought guidance. Right from the beginning, he was repeatedly selected to exhibit his works at exhibitions such as the Imperial Exhibition, Kyoto Prefectural Exhibitions, and others, received praise from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as a preserver (more…)

Kato Keizan 加藤渓山

1879-1962maleFounded a kiln in Gojozaka, Kyoto, in 1912.Afterwards worked on research into celadon ceramics during the Chinese Song and Yuan dynasties in China and established “Keizan Celadon” where he worked to rejuvenate this art form. Certified as a technology preserver of intangible cultural property by the city of Kyoto. Primarily held solo exhibitions at Takashimaya nationwide, including Kyoto Takashimaya. (more…)

Kaga Zuizan 加賀瑞山

1896-1982malebanko potteryYounger brother of the 1st generation Kaga Gekka, worked with his brother from the Taisho period into the Showa period to revive Banko-ware, which features iron red overglaze known as Kuwana-banko. Produced a wide range from tea-ware to everyday items. Selected as a qualified craftsman in 1942. Designated as an intangible cultural property by Kuwana City in 1979. 3rd generation inherited the technology and took an active part in incorporating Dutch glaze, Turkish glaze, Persian glaze, others. (more…)

Kawai Unosuke 河合卯之助

1889-1969maleBorn in Kyoto. Worked in Kiyomizu-ware at the Muko kiln. Second son of Kawai Mizutoyo. Graduated from Kyoto City University of the Arts in 1908 and from Kyoto City Painting College in 1911. While helping with the family business, he drew Nishijin-ori designs, then traveled to Korea from 1922 -1924 to study Joseon-ware. Opened his own Muko kiln in Muko-cho, Kyoto in 1928 and exhibited at the 9th Imperial Exhibition that year and 10th Imperial Exhibition in the following year. Received a patent in 1933 for his masterpiece: Oshiba-yaki. Exhibited at the Paris Technology Expo in 1937 and San Francisco (more…)

Kato Toyosuke 3rd 三代 加藤豊介

1778-1864malehoraku potteryA ceramist working for the Owari clan. Worked primarily with Nagoya horaku-ware. Son of Toyohachi. Made ceramics at Kakuri in the south of Maezu Banshoji. Appointed as master potter for the Owari clan in Tenpo 13 (1843) for whom he produced Raku-ware bowls from earthenware furnaces. Later received the silver seal of horaku from the domain lord Tokugawa Naritaka and was sent the two characters of “horaku” by Urasenke Gensai. From Toyosuke the 5th his surname changed from Kato to Daiki and then to horaku the 8th. (more…)

Nagaoka Kuniko 長岡國子

1941-femaleFrom Tokyo. Graduated from Kuwasawa Design School. Spent time as a graphic designer before self-teaching ceramics in 1975. Focuses on yakishime (high-fired unglazed ceramics) and inlay work. (more…)

Hatori Makoto 羽鳥誠

1947–malebizen pottery Makoto Hatori was born in Japan in 1947. He apprenticed under a master of traditional Japanese ceramics in 1970 and again in 1974. Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree in sculpture at the Nihon University College of Art in 1972, he went on to research clay and glazes at the Gifu Prefectural Institute of Ceramics from 1972 to 1974. In 1975, he established his own ceramics studio in Tamatukuri, Ibaraki Prefecture, with a traditional firing kiln that he designed. Between 1975 and 2006, while running this studio, he produced traditional ceramics and exhibited them nationally. In 2007, (more…)

Hattori Shunzo 服部俊三

1945–malemashiko potteryBorn in Nasu, Tochigi while his family was retreating from the front line of the war. Graduated from Salesian Polytechnic. Started work at Mitsukoshi in the beginning, but left in 1976 and moved to Mashiko with the aim of becoming a potter. Became the apprentice of Nariyoshi Jin. In 1978, he went independent and established his kiln in Mashiko. Nominated in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and New Crafts Exhibition. Specializes in copper underglaze iron decoration, nail engraving, and black glaze. (more…)

Hatta Shin 八田伸

1930–malekyo potteryHis real name is Shinji. Born in Kyoto. Apprentice of Kusube Yaichi. Member of Nitten. Was the judge of the Japan Contemporary Crafts Exhibition. Awarded at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition and others. Member of the Japan New Crafts Association. (more…)

Hatano Yoso 波多野洋壮

1947–maleBorn in Miyoshi, Hiroshima. After interning at the Saga Kiln, he became the apprentice of Inoue Manji. After learning Bizen, he became an apprentice of Eguchi Tatsumi in Takeo. Went independent in 1975 and built a climbing kiln in 1980. Won awards like the Jeweller Award at the Seibu Crafts Exhibition and more. Nominated in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and others. Ash glaze iron coloring, Nuki-e (forming patterns on the wax before glazing to repel the glaze), and Kohiki. (more…)

Hatano Masanori 波多野正典

1957–maleseto potteryBorn in Seto City. Graduated from the Seto Pottery High Shool. Went independent in 1982. Nominated in the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, Japan New Crafts Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, and Nitten Exhibition. Held solo exhibitions and participated in group exhibitions at Tokyo’s Otemachi Gallery, Toetsu, Shibuya Seibu, and Nagoya’s Gallery Anri. (more…)

Hatano Zenzo 波多野善蔵

1942–malehagi potteryBorn in Saga Prefecture. Won the Governor’s Award and Minister of Education Award at the Yamaguchi Prefecture Exhibition. Received honorary award from the Japan Kogei Association, of which he is a member. Received honorary award from the prefectural art promotion department. Held solo exhibitions at Nihonbashi and Osaka’s Takashimaya. (more…)