Japanese potters

Kumamoto Yoshiyasu 熊本義泰

1944-maleBorn in Kashima. Graduated from Seto Ceramics High School in Aichi Prefecture. Studied under Kimura Morikazu. Returned to his hometown in 1979 to make oil-drop tenmoku and glazed tenmoku ceramics from the rocks of Mt. Tara. Selected for the Seibu Crafts Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition and Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition. Aside from tenmoku ceramics, also worked in celadon, etc. (more…)

Kumamoto Yoshitaka 熊本惠孝

1948-maleBorn in Nagasaki prefecture. Completed art school at Tama Art University in 1974. Became an assistant in the Department of Ceramics in 1983 at the same university. Later worked independently. Selected for the Japan Ceramics Exhibition and the Chunichi International Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Seibu Shibuya. Primarily focused on green glaze. (more…)

Kumamoto Kiichi 熊本喜一

1927-malekyo potteryBorn in Tokoname. Studied under the founding generation head Katsuo Seiryuto. Became a founding member of the Kyoto Seiyokai in 1948 and studied under Kusube Yaichi. First selected in 1957 for the Nitten Exhibition. Selected and awarded prizes at Kyoto City Exhibition, Prefectural Exhibition, Kansai Soumi Exhibition, and Japanese Ceramics Exhibition. Solo exhibitions at Daimaru Osaka, Kobe Sogo, Tokyu Main Department Store, Meitetsu Nagoya, others. Primarily focused on mishima-de, blue glaze, celadon, and white porcelain. Nitten affiliate member. Member of Nissen Koren and the Kyoto Institute of Technology. (more…)

Kumazawa Teruo 熊沢輝雄

1919-1988maleBegan in oil painting, then moved to textile design, before working in ceramics. Director of Tajimi Ceramic Design Institute. Worked in the region where Shino and Oribe are traditional, using galena and majolica glaze, incorporating Western designs as well. (more…)

Kumagae Yasuoki 熊谷保興

1940-maleagano potteryEldest son of Koyo. Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art. Studied under Tsuji Kiyoaki. Became the 16th generation head of the Kumagae-moto kiln in 1975. Recipient of the Seibu Crafts Exhibition Asahi-yu Award, Mayor’s Award. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japan Ceramics Exhibition, etc. Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association. Primarily focused on iron glaze, red inlay glaze, ash glaze, and green glaze atop engravings. (more…)

Kumagae Muzo 熊谷無造

1949-maleagano potteryThird son of Koyo. Real name Mitsuzumi. Became the 12th generation head of family in 1981 after reestablishing Agano Tososonkai ceramics (an art form that disappeared during the Meiji era) in the place they had been traditionally made. Selected for participation and recipient of awards at the Seibu Crafts Exhibition, Japanese Ceramics Exhibition, and Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Recipient of Japan Crafts Seibu Branch Chief Award, etc. Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association. (more…)

Kumagae Koyo 熊谷紅陽

1912- 1992maleagano potteryReal name Yasumasa. Became the 15th-generation head of the prestigious Kumagae kiln, one of Enshu’s Seven Kilns, producing Agano-yaki ceramics. Studied under his father, Ryuho, the 14th-generation head of the kiln. Graduated from Arita Technical School. Recipient of Mainichi Ceramics Exhibition Grand Prize, Kyushu Ceramics Exhibition Award for Excellence, etc. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition without any need to submit to the selection jury. Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association and secretary of the Western branch. (more…)

Kumagae Koho 熊谷光峰

1921- ?maleagano potteryReal name Yasutaka. Graduated from Arita Technical School. Father was the 14th generation head of the Ryuho. At the invitation of Kitakyushu City in 1952, opened Agano-style kiln in the eastern part of the venerable Shimizu Sarayama that became known as Kikuyaki. Along with continuing the tradition of old Agano-ware ceramics, focused mainly on cinnabar, gold kiln inlay, and patina glaze. Selected for the Mainichi Ceramics Exhibition. (more…)

Kumagae Koshu 熊谷光修

1953-maleagano potteryStudied under Kumagai Mitsumine. Made ceramics in a traditional manner based on the Agano-ware of the Koshu kiln. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition and Seibu Craft Exhibition in 1983. Recipient of the Seibu Kogei Exhibition Award, Japan Kogei Association Seibu Branch Chief Award, Prefectural Board of Education Award, Okinawa Times Award, etc. (more…)

Kumagai Toshio 熊谷敏男

1948-maletsutsumi potteryBorn in Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture. Entered into the world of ceramics in 1969. Studied under Tsutsumi-ware master Hariu Kenba. Went independent and built a kiln in 1977. Selected consecutively for the Sankei Exhibition. Selected for the Musashino Exhibition of Traditional Crafts. Recipient of the Prefectural Arts Festival Miyagi Governor’s Award, etc. Conducted many master and apprentice exhibitions and solo exhibitions in Kesennuma. Focused primarily on nanbande and kohiki ceramics. (more…)

Kubota Yasuyoshi 久保田保義

1952-malePen-name is Rekko. Born in Kumamoto. Graduated from Osaka University of the Arts in 1978. Constructed a kin there. Recipient of the Prefectural Exhibition Commemorative Prize, Kumamoto Prefecture Exhibition Award, Kuma Hitoyoshi Exhibition Cultural Association Award, Western Crafts Exhibition Kumamoto Mayor’s Award, Kumamoto Biren Exhibition Hirayama Award, etc. First chair at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Exhibition. Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association. Focused on celadon (blue-white glazed) porcelain. (more…)

Kubota Naofumi 窪田直文

1923 – 1997malemashiko potteryBorn in Kofu. Graduated from Waseda University. Began working in ceramics in 1972, going independent in 1974. Selected for the Ichimizukai Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Worked in Canada, USA and Mexico. Solo exhibitions at Kichijoji Tokyo, Matsuya Ginza, Sendai Fujisaki, others. Primarily worked with ash glaze, carbonization and yakishime (thermal shrinking). (more…)

Kubo Mitsuyoshi 久保満義

1955-maleBorn in Kagoshima prefecture. Graduated from Kagoshima University with a major in Fine Arts. Studied under Atsuto Koji. Recipient of Chairman’s Award at Kyushu Current Technical Arts Exhibition, Prefectural Exhibition Governor’s Award, Prefectural Newcomer Award, Japan Contemporary Crafts Exhibition Current Technical Arts, Contemporary Kyushu Art and Technology Exhibition Grand Prize, etc. Selected by Nitten and others. Traveled to Europe in 1985 with the Prefectural Ikuei Foundation. Focused on three-dimensional modeling. Presided over Hakuryokai. 鹿児島県薩摩郡宮之城町屋地1322 (more…)

Kubo Emi 久保延美

1933-kyo potteryBorn in Shizuoka prefecture. Studied under Kiyomizu Rokubey. Recipient of Japan Contemporary Craft Exhibition Current Technical Arts Award and participated in the exhibition. First chair at the Kansai Art Exhibition. Repeatedly selected for the Nitten Exhibition and became an affiliate member. Judge for the Kyoto Exhibition. Member of Kyoto Institute of Technology including involvement in informal study groups. Primarily focused on decorative ceramics and sculpture. Held many solo and overseas exhibitions. (more…)

Kuno Yukio 久野行雄

1949-maleBorn in Otsu. Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art with a major in Craft Design. Worked in Shigaraki at the ceramic wall production design studio for four years starting in 1968. Later made ceramics at Shimizu Ceramics in Kyoto. Recipient of Kanazawa City Crafts Association President’s Award, etc. Exhibited at Kyoto Craft Exhibition and Design Exhibition. Solo exhibitions at Kyoto Gallery 16, Maronie, G Okazaki, and others. (more…)

Kuno Michinari 久野道也

1933 – 2002malekasama potteryGraduated from the Ibaraki Prefectural Ceramics Mentoring Center (now the Kasama College of Ceramic Art). Inherited the name of Hanemon as 13th generation representative in 1980. Studied under Koga Tadao and Yamamoto Masanori. Special selections at prefectural exhibitions. Recipient of the Prefectural Arts Festival Special Selection and Honorable Mention, New Sogo Crafts Exhibition Honorable Mention, etc. Selected for Ichimizukai Exhibition, Kofukai Exhibition, others. Member of Japan Ceramic Sculpture Association and Shinso Crafts. (more…)

Kuno Shosei 久野勝生

1941-malemino potteryPrimarily focused on tenmoku double hanging scrolls, Shino and Oribe. Participated and won awards at the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition and others. Works purchased by the Imperial Household Agency, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto, etc. Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association. (more…)

Kuno Emiko 久野恵美子

1935-femaleBorn in Tokyo. Graduated from Bunka Fashion College. Received consecutive awards at the Ibaraki Prefectural Exhibition. Member of Sankeikai Bunkodo Award. Held two seats at prefectural art festival awards. Selected for the Women’s Ceramics Exhibition and others. Member of the Japan Ceramic Sculptures Association and Asia Association. (more…)

Kuniyoshi Seisho 国吉清尚

1943 – 1999maleStudied under Tsuboya Kobashigawa Eisho. After majoring in Japanese literature at Nihon University, joined Tochigi Prefectural Ceramics Mentoring Center, privately owned by Hamada Shoji and Kamoda Shoji. Built a kiln in 1973 and then another in Hawaii in 1975. After returning to Japan, worked primarily on avant-garde ceramic collages. In 1999, at the age of 55, he committed suicide by pouring kerosene on his own body. (more…)

Kunii Kenzan 国井賢山

1931- 1994Studied at Kyoto Prefectural Ceramists’ Technical Institute and Kyoto Institute of Technology. Went to Okinawa in 1969 to research folk pottery. Returned to Takamatsu in 1977 where he was invited to open the Ishiki kiln in Shionoe for the production of local Shionoe-ware. Participated in the Shinkyo Art Exhibition, Kansai Sogo Art Exhibition, etc. Director and exhibition judge for Sanuki Ceramics Association. Presided over Kofu Ceramics. (more…)