Japanese potters

Eiraku Zengoro 14th Myozen 十四代 永楽善五郎 妙全

1852-1927femalekyo potteryShe was Tokuzen’s wife. Following the death of Tokuzen, named herself Eiraku Zengoro XIV and made efforts to protect the family business, raising his son as Zengoro XV. Received the title “Myozen” in 1914 from Mitsui Takatoshi with boxes containing the work stamped with the seal of the 14th generation Tokuzen along with the letter Yu (悠) as written by Mitsui Takatoshi. Many of her works were Seisai Sosa’s taste, elegant, and feminine. (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 13th Kaizen 十三代 永楽善五郎 回全

1834-1876malekyo potteryOriginally the second son of the painter Sano Chokan, his real name was Zenjiro. He was sent to work with Hozen from the age of 13. Following that, he worked hard with Hozen and Wazen as a substitute for Hozen in his later years. He accompanied Wazen in the improvement of Omura-kiln and the revival of Kutani ware. Due to his contribution to the Eiraku family, he and Tosuke (Kyokuzen) became the 13th generation. He was given the title Eiraku Kaizen. Later split his house and named himself Nishimura Sozaburo. (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 9th (Nishimura Sogen) 九代 永楽善五郎 (西村宗巌)

-1779kyo potteryBetween 3rd-9th generations, the Eiraku residence moved from Gojo-kami in Kurumayacho (around the time of 5th generation Soken) to Higashinotoin Gojo-shimo (from 5th generation Soken to 6th generation Sosada) and changing addresses several times from the latter years of Sosada to the time of Sojun before entering the eastern section of the current temple and deepening relations with Sansenke. (more…)

Uchida Koichi 内田鋼一

1969-malebanko potteryCompleted Aichi Prefectural Seto Ceramics High School ceramics course in 1990 before moving to Yokkaichi, Mie prefecture in 1992. Participated in the “Seeing the Container – Living the Life” Exhibition at Tokyo’s National Museum of Modern Art in 2000. Held his first solo exhibition in 2015 and continued to do so every year. Mainly focuses on producing tea-ware that combine tradition with originality and creativity. (more…)

Utsumi Kichizo 内海吉造

1831-1885malekutani porcelainWorked as a factory manager at Abe Oumi Ceramics Factory. Exhibited decorative porcelain at the Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition in 1876. Awarded third prize at the Uchikoku Expo in 1881 for his kachosansui flower vase and confectionary bowl. Invented a technique for re-baking spots using Kutani-ware gold paint. After that, he went independent and established Ishun-sha company, where many ceramics artists studied and trained. (more…)

Uezu Shigeo 上江洲茂生

1949-2019maletsuboya potteryBegan working in ceramics in 1970 under the guidance of Kobashigawa Eisho. Recipient of the Honorable Mention at the Okinawa Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1972, exhibiting many times in the following years and receiving the Oki Exhibition Award in 1975, and becoming an exhibition member in 1979. Selected for the Kokugakai Ceramics Club consistently since 1975. Built a kiln in Zakimi, Yomitan, in 1980. Held his first solo exhibition at Okinawa Bussan Center in the following year, with solo exhibitions at Osaka Hankyu department store following every year starting in 1983 and at Okinawa Mitsukoshi department store starting in (more…)

Uematsu Tosui 植松陶翠

1899-1959maleKnown as Uematsu Chotaro, he sold bonsai pots in Tokyo, later commissioning kilns around the world to produce original pots that he had designed. Took advantage of this to financially support Mizuno Haramatsu’s Harumatsu Pottery Garden, a pot-only designed to concentrate production. There was a time when Chotaro was teaching pottery techniques to Harumatsu’s younger brother Mizuno Masao and pulled his work out of the kiln and took it to the Tatsuta River to make it, laying a foundation for his later famous Uematsu Tosui bowls. (more…)

Ueda Toyokichi 植田豊橘

1860-1948maleWas singled out and chosen by Wagner in 1874 while attending school, after which he studied Kaoru-ware under Wagner, worked as an assistant on the new ceramics test, engaged in research on underglaze, and greatly contributed to the development of Asahi-ware and Azuma-ware. Also played a key role in the production of Asahi-ware even after the death of his teacher. Was invited in 1915 to the Kyoto City Ceramics Testing Center to become director and continued to teach at Kyoto Imperial University and Kyoto Ceramics High School in order to share his knowledge to nurture future generations. He was also (more…)

Ueda Naokata 6th 六代 上田直方

1957-maleshigaraki potteryBorn in Yame-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture. After graduating from high school, trained at the workshop of traditional Tamba-ware craftsman Ogami Ko. Adopted by Ueda Naokata the 5th in 1982, his potter name is Ueda Koshun. Started making ceramics more seriously after working in the molding department of Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Training School, and the glaze department of Shiga Prefectural Ceramics Testing Center. Ever since his first solo exhibition at Shigaraki Toen in 1987, he has continued to present works primarily at solo exhibitions in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, other venues. Succeeded to Ueda Naokata VI in 2010. (more…)

Ueda Naokata 4th 四代 上田直方

1898-1975maleshigaraki potteryThe family of Tanii Rijuro, who had been making tea-ware since the end of the Edo period, eventually divided into two branches, the Tanii family and Ueda family. Naokata (4th generation) demonstrated excellent skills working in the old style of Shigaraki after detailed study of the ancient practice. Adept at making teacups and heavy pots developed along the principles of wabi-sabi using Shigaraki’s unique non-glazed style of ceramics. After World War II, his works were exhibited at traditional Japanese craft exhibitions. (more…)

Uno Ninmatsu 宇野仁松

1864-1937maleStudied under Seifu Yohei (3rd generation) before going independent. Pursued the learning of techniques not known within Kyo-ware at that time, such as Chinese cinnabar glaze and Turkish matte glaze, helping to lay the foundation for modernization in Kyoto in terms of overseas trade. Also famous as the father of the Uno Souji (1st generation) and Uno Sango, and as the mentor of modern sculptor Isamu Noguchi. (more…)

Urano Kenya 浦野乾哉

Late Edo period-1923maleLived in Imado, Asakusa. Studied pottery under Miura Kenya. Exhibited at the Paris World Exposition in 1900, after which he moved to Iriya where he was adopted by Ogata Keisuke, descendant of Ogata Kenzan. Later became the sixth generation Kenzan Ogata. Among his apprentices are such masters such as Bernard Leach, Tomimoto Kenkichi, Uchijima Hokuro, and others. (more…)

Uchijima Hokuro 内島北朗

1893-1978maleBorn in Takaoka, Toyama prefecture. Introduced to the Ogata Kenzan kiln. Later founded the Yoyokai. Recipient of the 1925 France Expo Silver Award. (more…)

Uemura Hakuo 上村白鴎

1754-1832maletokoname potteryKnown for Tokoname-ware. Succeeded in firing idotsu (well cylinders) whole, a method still in use today. Also demonstrated his talent in creating tea-ware and figurines using hand-twisting techniques. Many enthusiasts even today revere Uemura as one of the most renowned master craftsmen of the Edo period. He was also well known as a singer and poet. Later in life, he was invited to the han domain’s Ofuke kiln where he engaged in making ceramics with Hirasawa Kuro. (more…)

Uno Soyo 1st 初代 宇野宗甕

1888-1973makeSon of Uno Jinmatsu who was a Kiyomizu-ware potter.1952 – shinsha (cinnabar) receives Kyoto City Intangible Cultural Property certification.1957 – seiji (celadon) certified as an intangible cultural property.1965 – Received the shiju-hosho (Medal with Purple Ribbon). Awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (Fourth Order of Merit). (more…)

Uguisudani Shohei 鶯谷庄平

1830-1912maleWork at the Kanazawa Town Hall as a young man, but after the abolition of the feudal han domain system, he learned how to make Raku ware and tea ceremony ceramics working under Hara Gozan. He moved to Kyoto in 1977 where he worked at Gojozaka, returning Kanazawa two or three years later. After handing his kiln over to Nozaki Sakichi in 1985, he built a small kiln in Yuki. His work is said to be an excellent imitation of the mid-Edo period artist Aoki Mokubei, who favored the Kyo-ware style. (more…)

Awa Kosho 安房幸祥

1945-maleStudied under Shigara and Tamba Tachikui in 1973, becoming independent in Osaka in 1977. He held a solo exhibition in 1984 and moved to Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture the following year. Since 1987, he has been focusing on solo exhibitions. He has also been selected as a prize winner for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Association. (more…)

Arai Kinya 新井謹也

1884-1966maleMoved to Kyoto in 1903, where he first learned under Makino Katsuji, then studied under Asai Chu at the Western Painting Institute. However, the next year he began work for a company as a military painter for the Russo-Japanese War and returned 3 years later in 1907. In 1910, he participated in the founding of the “Black Cat Association” with Kuroda Jutaro and others. After its disbandment, he formed a “Colleagues Association” with 5 like-minded Western-style painters of the Taisho Era, and while presenting his works took a job at the Mitsukoshi kimono fabrics store, from which he retired after (more…)

Adachi Tosen 安達陶仙

1872-1944malekutani porcelainBorn into the Sojutsu Shinanban family, he graduated from Ishikawa Prefectural Technical School in 1890 and studied under Matsumoto Sahei. He learned ceramic painting and pigment manufacturing from Tomoda Yasukiyo and Yoshimura Matao.He was self-employed in 1897, and afterwards worked in the Hayashiya Kumi Ceramics Workshop and the Ishikawa Design Office. From 1904 to 1935 he was a lecturer in the ceramics department of Ishikawa Prefectural Technical School (currently named Ishikawa Prefectural Technical High School). At the same time, he devoted himself to the development and research of glazes such as celadon glaze and crystal glaze. Thanks to the (more…)

Akai Tonen 3rd 三代 赤井陶然

1818-1889maletokoname potteryExhibited Nanban wares and vases at the 1st National Expo in 1877, and he exhibited Nanban reproductions and vases at the 2nd National Expo in 1881. He was adept at reproducing Nanban wares such as tea sets, sake sets, and vases.Akai Tonen I lived 1762-1829, II lived 1796-1858, IV lived 1843-1914. (more…)