Japanese potters

Hashimoto Yudo 橋本遊土

1947–Born in the town of Haruna, Gunma. Graduated from Rissho University Graduate School. After working at the Gunma Ikuei Educational Institution and the Takehisa Yumeji Ikaho Memorial, they set up the Jisyoji-ware Yudo Kiln in 1986. (more…)

Hashimoto Kaho 橋本嘉峯

1939-femaleBorn in Naruto City. Graduated from the Kyoto Pottery Technical School. Trained at the Tokushima Otani ware kiln. Went independent in 1971 at Kyoto. Established a kiln of her own in Naruto City’s Hayashizaki in 1973. Moved the kiln here in 1978. Yohen, Tenmoku wares. (more…)

Hashibe Shun 土師部駿

1954–maleBorn in the town of Mashiko. In 1971, he trained at Tochigi Prefecture Pottery Training Department and Research Department. He went independent and established his own kiln in 1977. He won nominations for the Prefecture Art Exhibition Fair Award and the New Traditional Craft Exhibition. (more…)

Hashiba Ryoichi 羽柴良一

1934-?malemino potteryHe was an apprentice of Hineno Sakudo and trained in Tokoname and Kyoto before going independent and establishing his own kiln in 1958. He has won awards at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Japanese New Art Crafts Exhibition, and others. Patronized by the Imperial Household Agency. Member of the Mino Ware Association. Mainly makes tea utensils using techniques like Shino, Oribe, Kohiki, devitrification glaze, Kushime, Sogifumi, and cinnabar. He mainly holds solo exhibitions at Nagoya’s Maruei etc. (more…)

Hashizume Kodai 橋爪幸大

1908–?maleBorn in Asakusa, Tokyo. Graduated from the University of Tokyo. Learned pottery on his own. Chairman of the Rinto Association. Won nominations and awards at the Issuikai Exibition and others. Member of the Shinto Association. Auditor of the Kamakura Art Society. Honorary guest at the former First Higher School’s Oumei Exhibition. Uses a wide range of techniques like Sometsuke, iron paintings, and Neriage (marbled ware). (more…)

Hashikawa Mitsuo 橋川充雄

1929–maleGraduated from Mie Normal School. He then became a teacher and later the headmaster of Futami Middle School in the current Watarai District while making pottery. He received the Rookie of the year award and Alumni award at the Creative Arts Exhibition. He also received nominations and awards at the Mie Prefecture exhibition and Tokai Traditional Arts Exhibition. Specializes in Damascene and transferware. (more…)

Hashikami Dogyu 橋上土牛

1947–maleBorn in Fukuoka Prefecture. His real name is Yasuta. He graduated from Keio University School of Philosophy. After working at a chemicals company in Osaka, he became an apprentice under Tokoname’s Ezaki Issei. He later returned to his hometown to start his pottery career, and established his own kiln after becoming a member of the Fukuoka Art Society in 1983. He won the Asahi Newspaper Award and Kasuga City Mayor Award at the prefecture’s art exhibition. He has also been nominated and awarded at the Chunichi International Art Exhibition and New Zealand International Art Exhibition. Specializes in celadon, ash glaze, (more…)

Hazaki Masako 羽崎昌子

1959–femaleBorn in Kochi Prefecture. Graduated from Kyoto Hiyoshigaoka High School and Kyoto Saga Art College Ceramics Faculty. Was an apprentice of Funaki Kenji, who makes Shimane Folk ware. Won the Mainichi Newspaper Award at the Woman’s Association of Ceramic Art Exhibition and other exhibitions, and is a member of said association. She specializes in solid freeform fabrication. 京都市西京区川島北裏町38-1 (more…)

Hagiwara Toshio 萩原としを

1933-?malemashiko potteryBorn in the town of Mashiko. Graduated from Nishogakusha University. He originally majored in writing scenarios, but he returned to his hometown in 1966 to work at the Pottery Association and learned about pottery on the side. He went independent in 1968. He has held solo exhibitions at the Asagaya art gallery and Hachioji’s Daimaru. In 1980, he held a 10 year anniversary exhibition in Sano city. (more…)

Hagimoto Masaki 萩元正紀

1948–maleStarted making pottery since 1970. Founder of Tenryu ware. Won awards at the Nagano prefecture exhibition, Asahi Art Exhibition, the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts, and more. (more…)

Hakariya Sonoko 秤屋苑子

1950–femaleBorn in Fukushima Prefecture. Graduated from Tokyo Woman’s Christian University. In 1975, she aimed to become a potter and learned under Shimada Fumio. She went independent in 1980. She built her own kiln in 1983 at Iwaki City, her hometown. She won nominations and awards at Traditional Crafts Musashino Exhibition, New Arts Exhibition, and Fukushima’s General Arts Exhibition. Also hosted solo exhibitions and participated in group exhibitions at Mejiro’s Chikusa Art Gallery, Iwaki City’s Daikokuya, Nihonbashi’s Mitsukoshi, and more. Specializes in Seihakuji (bluish white porcelain). (more…)

Baito Tetsuro 梅藤哲郎

1931–maleechizen potteryHe goes by the pseudonym Genju. He first aimed to be a sculptor, learning under Amada Kohei and Ono Tadahiro. He is part of contemporary sculptor associations such as the Jiyuu Bijutsu Association and International Art Club, presenting avant-garde sculptures at their exhibitions. In 1972, he established a kiln and became a dedicated potter. Since then, he has held solo exhibitions at Kanazawa’s Marukoshi, Kyoto’s Daimaru and other department stores, Nihonbashi’s Mitsukoshi and Takashimaya, and Ikebukuro’s Seibu. Non-affiliated. Specializes in making tea bowls and ceramic walls with Ki-irabo (yellow rough surface) patterns, Kohiki (white slip ware) and Yakishime (no (more…)

Noro Chikako 野呂千佳子

1952–femaletsugaru potteryBorn in Aomori City. Dropped out from Gakushuin University. Returned to her hometown and joined Tsugaru Pottery, which makes Tsugaru ware. In 1977, she became a trainee at Aomori prefecture’s industrial research institute. In 1980, she went independent and established her own kiln, presiding over a pottery school. Participates in the 9-person pottery exhibition in Aomori and Hirosaki every year, as well as the 17-person exhibition by Denega. Specializes in using scallop ash glaze, bronze glaze, and gunny sack patterns. (more…)

Noro Kaoru 野呂薫

1949–femaletsugaru potteryBorn in the town of Hiraga, Minamitsugaru District, Aomori. Started training at the Tsugaru Kiln, which makes Tsugaru ware, from 1973. In 1978, she became an apprentice at a Nanbu ware kiln. She went independent and established her own kiln in 1979. Starting 1984, she participated in a 9-person ceramics exhibition in both Aomori and Hirosaki every year. She also participated in the 17-person exhibition hosted by Gallery Denega. Specializes in using scallop shells, applewood ash glaze, and iron glaze. (more…)

Egawa Sessai 江川拙斎

1902-1981maleraku potteryAfter the war, he presided over the Rakudokai Exhibition at Isetan and the Shidorokai Exhibition at Mitsukoshi in 1965. At Tokyo’s Izumi kiln and Shigaraki Gongen kiln, he made ceramics, principally Raku-ware. He left behind excellent examples of Koetsu-utsushi and Chojiro-utsushi bowls. Grandfather of Naoki Misa and father of Naoki Tomojiro. (more…)

Enomoto Shisui 榎本紫水

1793-1865tamagawa potteryAlso known as Tamagawa Shisui. Originally a poet and general hobbyist, they studied at various kilns in places such as Kyoto, Seto and Imari starting some time around the 12th year of Bunsei (1829) and worked on research into techniques. During the Kaei era (1848-58), founded a kiln on the Tama River at Musashino Kuni Tamagawa. They are said to have been excellent at copying such as Ninsei copying and Ryoiri copying and his technique was so deft that he was called a “master of counterfeit.” They also learned about the making of tea-ware from Urasenke’s 11th generation Gengensai. (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 14th Tokuzen 十四代 永楽善五郎 得全

1853-1909malekyo potteryEiraku Tokuzen. Eldest son of 12th generation (Wazen). Specialized in copying Ninsei’s painting as well as red painting. His painting was masculine and frank, unprecedented in the Eiraku family for generations, but not to a slipshod degree due to its use of more advanced technology. In the first year of Meiji (1868), Nishimura’s surname was abolished and replaced with Eiraku. Exhibited Eiraku-ware at the Vienna Expo in 1873 and also at the Philadelphia Expo in 1876, and won the Flower Crest Award. Also received awards for his water pitchers and incense containers at the 1878 Paris Expo and 1881 (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 13th Kyokuzen 十三代 永楽善五郎 曲全

1819-1883malekyo potteryRial name was Nishiyama Tosuke. From an early age, he was raised by Hozen and worked from the age of 8 years old. Working well with Wazen and Hozen as well as being active in the Omuro kiln and with Kutani-ware. Due to his efforts for the Eiraku family, he and Sozaburo (Kaizen) became the 13th generation to keep the tradition of Wazen alive. He was given the title Eiraku Kyokuzen. (more…)

Nishimura Sozen (Eiraku Zengoro 1st) 西村宗禅 (初代 永楽善五郎)

?-1558malekyo potteryGave himself the surname Nishimura because he lived in Nishinokyo Nishimura in Yamato province. At first, he was involved in delivering common equipment to Kasuga Shrine, which became his business, but this was recognized by Takeno Jo, tea-master at the time, for whom he made a clay stove, which is the foundation of the current clay stove known as the “Nara clay stove.” In his later years, he inherited the name Zengoro from the master of clay stoves Zengoro. (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 15th Shozen 十五代 永楽善五郎 正全

1880-1932malekyo potteryTokuzen’s nephew. After Tokuzen’s death, he helped Myozen, working as his assistant. He then worked as the 15th generation head of the kiln for five years following the death of Myozen. Upon relocating to Shigaraki, he became especially adept at copying Shigaraki-ware and other styles. Received the title of Shozen from Mokurai, a chief of Kenninji temple. (more…)