Japanese potters

Hagiwara Yoshinori 萩原芳典

1974-malemashiko potteryBorn as the 5th generation of Hagiwara Pottery1994 Completed apprentice and research student at Tochigi Prefectural Ceramics Institute　Joined Hagiwara Pottery and began making pottery2004 Selected to exhibit at the 78th National Exhibition (and subsequently selected consecutively)2007 Awarded the Encouragement Prize at the National Exhibition　Selected for the 62nd Tochigi Prefectural Art Festival Art Exhibition (consecutive selection thereafter)2008 Became a member of the Kokuga-kai　　　 Awarded Encouragement Prize at the Tochigi Prefectural Art Exhibition2009 Awarded the National Painting Prize at the National Exhibition2010 Became an associate member of the Kokuga-kai　Selected for the “25th Tochigi Art Exhibition” (and thereafter selected consecutively)2011 Solo exhibition (more…)

Sakuma Fujiya 佐久間藤也

1963-malemashiko potteryBorn in Mashiko Town. Eldest son of grandfather Sakuma Totaro and father Kenji 　1985 Graduated from Nagoya University of Arts1986 Trained at Tochigi Prefectural Ceramics Training Center, joined Sakuma Totaro Kiln1996 Tower of London from Nikko Toshogu, Royal Armor Museum　Produced matcha kettle for donation to the Fukutokuan, Leeds New Wing, Leeds, England1999 “The 73rd National Exhibition”, first time exhibited, first prize winner (and thereafter consecutive prize winners)2003 Awarded the Newcomer’s Prize at the 77th National Exhibition2004 Became a member of the Kokuga-kai2005 Awarded the National Painting Prize at the 79th National Exhibition, promoted to Associate Member of the National (more…)

Shimaoka Kei 島岡桂

1978-malemashiko potteryBorn in Tokyo, the second son of Fudeya Hitoshi (Japanese painting) and Fudeya Yoshiko (glass art)1996 Graduated from Utsunomiya Junior College High School, Culinary Arts1997 Graduated from Tochigi Prefectural Ceramics Institute (apprenticeship)　Trained for 6 years under his grandfather, Shimaoka Tatsuzo, living national treasure. 2003 Started production at Shimaoka Pottery　Held graduation exhibition at Ginza Takumi, Tokyo2004 Solo exhibition at Matsuya Ginza (and annually thereafter)2005 Solo exhibition at Hankyu Umeda (and annually thereafter)　Solo exhibition held at Seibu Department Store Ikebukuro (and annually thereafter)　Adopted by Shimaoka Tatsuzo.2007 Exhibited at JARFO “New York Sake Exhibition　Succeeded to Shimaoka Pottery2011 Exhibited at “The Beauty of (more…)

Shimaoka Ryuta 島岡龍太

1952-malemashiko potteryBorn in Mashiko, eldest son of Shimaoka Tatsuzo1976 Graduated from Kyoto Institute of Technology1981 Studied at Goda Ceramic Research Institute1987 Solo exhibition at Aoyama Green Gallery (every other year)1989 Solo exhibition at Osaka Hankyu Department Store1990 Solo exhibition at Matsuya, Ginza2004 “Two Men’s Exhibition” with Mashiko Tsukamoto2007 “Parent and Child Exhibition” with Mashiko Tsukamoto2011 Aoyama Beniya “Two Men’s Exhibition　Beyond the Damage to the Ceramic Industry in Mashiko and the Northern Kanto Region　Exhibition of ceramics by 12 up-and-coming artists (more…)

Hashimoto Shuichi 橋本秀一

1954-malemashiko potteryBorn in Mashiko1980 Studied under Hamada Atsuya1984 Built own kiln in Osawa, Mashiko1991 “Japan Folk Crafts Museum Exhibition” Selected2000 “Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition” Selected　Exhibited in “The 20th Century of Tochigi Prefecture Art II: The Thousand Year Door Exhibition” at Tochigi Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts2003 “Mashiko Contemporary Artists Ceramics Exhibition2004 “100 Ceramic Artists of Mashiko”, Contemporary Art in Mashiko2007 ” Hamada Shoji and His Genealogy Exhibition” exhibited (more…)

Kawai Sota 河井創太

1973-maleBorn in Kyoto. Mingei master Kawai Kanjiro was his great-grandfather.1996 Graduated from Kyoto Seika University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Ceramics1997 Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Training School2002 Built a studio in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture2004 Kobe Tanaka Art ExhibitionMatsuzakaya, Osaka, Japan, solo exhibition 2005 Kobe Tanaka Art ExhibitionOsaka Kintetsu Department Store, Abeno, Osaka, Japan, solo exhibitionTokyo Keio Department Store, Kawai IV Exhibition(Katojiro Kawai, Hiroji Kawai, Toshitaka Kawai, Sota Kawai)Built his own climbing kiln 2006 Fujii Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, solo exhibition2007 Tokyo Toubi Art Fair, solo exhibitionKobe Tanaka Art Exhibition 2008 Kawai IV Exhibition, Matsuya, HiroshimaMitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo, solo exhibition (more…)

Hamada Tomoo 濱田友緒

1967-malemashiko potteryBorn in Mashiko Town. Second son of Hamada Shinsaku, grandson of Hamada Shoji1991 Completed Graduate School of Tama Art University1995 Traveled to England on a delegation from the town of Mashiko. St. Ives, London2000 Pottery East&West Exhibition, Ditchling Museum of Art　Exhibited and demonstrated2001 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Department Store, Nihonbashi (and every other year thereafter)2002 The Japan-America Cultural Center, Los Angeles　Exhibited in “Contemporary Japanese Ceramic Artists Exhibition2005 Asahi Beer Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art　Exhibited in “Three Generations of Hamada-gama: Shoji, Shinsaku, and Tomoo2009 Solo exhibition at Reach Pottery, St. Ives　　 　Hamada Kiln Three Generations Exhibition” at Packer Gallery, Boston　Demonstrations (more…)

Kitamura Fumi 北村風巳

1977-maleecchhu-seto potteryBorn in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture2000 Started making ceramics at “Tounokan” in Pottery Village2002: Produced ceramics at his home in Toyama City, Toyama PrefectureImpressed by Etchu-Seto ware from the early to mid-Edo period2005 Met the 13th generation Nakazato Tarouemon2006 Trained at the 14th generation Nakazato Tarouemon Kiln, Karatsu ware2008 Tour of Korean white porcelain kiln sites2009 Tour of Chinese kiln sites2010 Returned to Toyama from KaratsuBuilt anagama kiln at current residence in Tateyama Town2011: Named the kiln “Kare-Susukino Kiln” and fired for the first timeExhibited works in Japan and abroad, including a solo exhibition in Yamato, Toyama, and shows (more…)

Kato Toshiaki 加藤聡明

1961-maleetchu-seto potteryBorn in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture1978 Apprenticed under Azuma Kuniaki at Azuma Kutani Pottery in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan1985 Returned to Toyama and started making pottery at the family business, Shirohachi Kiln1988 Built his own climbing kiln1995 Built the Ittekoi Kiln2004 Became an instructor at “Tounokan” in Ecchu Pottery Village (more…)

Harada Keiji 原田圭二

1978-malebizen potterySecond son of Harada Togetsu II. His older brother is Harada Ryoji. Raised in a family of Bizen Pottery artists, he naturally became interested in Bizen Pottery. Became independent in 1997.He and his brother use his father’s climbing kiln. He mainly produces flower vases and sake cups, but also produces umbrella holders, jars, and other large pieces. (more…)

Harada Ryoji 原田良二

1977-malebizen potteryEldest son of Harada Togetsu II. After completing his studies at the Bizen Ceramics Center, he learned pottery techniques from his grandfather and father in 2000, and became independent in 2001.He uses his father’s climbing kiln and aims for beefsteak plant color and kiln transformation. He often makes tableware, vases, and sake cups. Mainly uses a potter’s wheel for molding. His younger brother Harada Keiji is also a Bizen Pottery artist. (more…)

Watanabe Takuma 渡邊琢磨

1968-malebizen potteryAfter graduating from Kansai University, he apprenticed himself to Bizen Pottery artist Yamauchi Atsuyoshi in 1991 and learned pottery techniques. 1996, he joined the Bizen Pottery and continued his apprenticeship. 2006, he built his own anagama kiln and became independent.He mainly produces tableware, flower vases, sake cups, etc. After shaping on the potter’s wheel, he often adds some extra touches such as chamfering, hand-twisting, and inlaying to his works. In addition to the anagama, he also built a small kiln for reduction firing, and also aims to produce Ao-bizen (blue bizen) and other ceramics. (more…)

Kobashi Masaaki 小橋順明

1976-malebizen potteryBorn in Okayama City, Japan. 1997 Entered Kagawa University. In 2000, he graduated from Kagawa University, Faculty of Education, majoring in fine arts ceramics. 2002, after completing the graduate school of Kagawa University, he studied under Bizen ware artist Takatori Kanzan. 2005-2008, after three years of training at the Bizen ware potter Taizan Kiln, he became independent in 2008. (more…)

Amano Tomoya 天野智也

1968-malebizen potteryBorn in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture, studied under Nagasue Ryuhei after completing the ceramics course at Seto Ceramic High School in 1989. 1994- Joined Kimura Tojoen and worked there for 10 years. 2005- Built his own half-underground anagama in Sako, Akaban City, Okayama Prefecture, and started his own kiln.His first solo exhibition was held in 2007. Since then, he has actively held solo exhibitions in Okayama and Tokyo every year. (more…)

CHRISTOPHER RAVENHALL

1968-malebizen potteryBorn in Derby, England.In 1989, he apprenticed himself to Mamoru Taku, a Bizen potter, and learned pottery techniques. 1994, he joined the Kimura Ichiyo Kiln and continued his training. 1999, he built his own anagama kiln in Shitsurenji, Akaban City, Okayama Prefecture, and became independent.He often makes tableware for daily use, including sake cups and flower vases. His unique foreign sensibility, which is not found in Japanese people, makes his work very appealing. His cups are especially unique in shape. Recently, he says he was influenced by ancient Celtic pottery. He is actively involved in solo exhibitions and holds (more…)

Yasuda Tatsuhiko 安田龍彦

1959-malebizen pottery After graduating from Shimane University in 1984, he began his career as a ceramic artist. 1988, he joined the kiln Kimura Tosyoen, which is a descendant of Kiln Rokusei, and studied under Kimura Toho and Kimura Risho. 1998, he built a half underground anagama kiln in Saeki Town, Wake County, and became independent.In 2001, he was selected for the first time to participate in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. In 2006, he was selected for the fourth time and became a full member of the Japan Kogei Association. He mainly produces tableware, including vases, sake cups, and tea (more…)

Matsubara Shinji 松原晋司

malebizen pottery He began his training in Bizen ware in Ibe in 1978. From 1979, he studied pottery techniques under Nakamura Rokuro for three years. In 1996, he built a climbing kiln of his own design.He has been making flower vases, water jars, tea bowls, sake cups, and bowls by rokuro molding, while plates and tableware are mainly made by pounding. After forming the pieces, he often transforms them further, and especially likes to transform sake vessels into flat or triangular vessels. (more…)

Shibata Yoshihiro 柴田好浩

1964-malebizen pottery Grandfather is Kimura Ichiyo. In 1983, he apprenticed himself to his uncle, Kimura Takaaki, to learn pottery techniques, and in 1997, he built a climbing kiln with four shelves and a large oud that can accommodate four rows of four pieces, becoming independent and opening his first kiln.In 1990, he was selected for the first time to participate in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and in 2012, he was selected for the fourth time to participate in the same exhibition and became a regular member of the Japan Crafts Association.He often produces vases, vases, plates, ceramic boards, and (more…)

Ishida Yasuhiro 石田安弘

1952-malebizen potteryHe was attracted to Bizen ware and decided to become a potter. In 1973, he joined the Bizen Ceramic Art Center and received training for one year. In 1977, he built a climbing kiln and became independent.In addition to tea ceremony utensils, tableware, and flower vases, he also produces zodiac signs, birds, and animals. He values the appearance and the taste of his pottery. He is an expert in the Urasenke school of tea ceremony and has built a tea room in his home, where he holds tea ceremonies and listens to the opinions of others for reference in (more…)

Honma Tomoyuki 本間友幸

1975-maleBorn in Nagano City1993 Studied under Kobayashi Toshun1995 Visited National Palace Museum, Taiwan and Vietnam1996 Visited Myanmar to study ceramics1997 Opened kiln in Nagano City1998Honorable Mention, Hoku-shin ExhibitionHonorable Mention, Bonsai Vessel ExhibitionSelected, The Ceramic Foundation Exhibition1999Selected, Exhibition of New Works of Traditional CraftsSelected, National ExhibitionHonorable Matcha Tea Ceremony ContestSelected, World Competition of Arts and Crafts, KanazawaSelected, The Ceramic Foundation ExhibitionSelected, Nagano Prefecture Craft ExhibitionHonorable Mention: Issuikai Ceramics Club ExhibitionSelected, Colored Ceramics ExhibitionSelected, Rokkatei Northern Confectionery ExhibitionHonorable Mention, Flower Vase Contest 2000Honorable Mention, Japan Treasure ExhibitionHonorable Mention, Snow Design AwardHonorable Mention, International Public Call for Contemporary Art in AsiaHonorable Mention: Vessel (more…)