Japanese potters

Iuchi Yoshiki 井内芳樹

1944-1996maleGrew up in Hiroshima Prefecture. Graduated from Kyoto University of Art. Studied under Tomimoto Kenkichi and Kondo Yuzo. He later founded the Youwa kiln in Kochi, in collaboration with his former classmate Nishimura Shigeru. (more…)

Iida Masato 飯田眞人

1950–maleGrew up in Osaka. Trained at the Kiko kiln and the Kitamura Wazen kiln in Kyoto from 1972. In 1974, graduated from Kyoto Ceramics School. During this time, he founded the Ceramic Glaze Research Society, and published ceramic glaze research journals Glaze Report and Basic High Fire Glaze Experiments. He later moved to Tajimi, Gifu, and founded his own kiln in 1977, after which he mainly produced greenware. Selected for and won awards at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and other exhibitions. Member of the Japan Kogei Association and Mino Ceramics Association. (more…)

Kimura Bangaku 6th 六代 木村万岳

1938-maleInherited the commissioned kiln of the Toda clan of Matsumoto Castle as the 6th generation. Studied under Sawamura Tosai and Shinoda Yoshikazu. Won the Prefectural Sculpture and Craft Art Exhibition Grand Prize and other awards. Selected for the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Craft Art, and other exhibitions. Held joint exhibitions in Nihombashi and Yokohama. Prefectural Craft Art Association Director. Works focus on celadon and white porcelain. (more…)

Kimura Moriyasu 木村盛康

1935-makeFrom Kyoto. As a research student at the Kyoto Institute of Craft Art, completed regular and special courses in ceramics training. Studied under his brother Morikazu. Won the Japan Craft Art Association Kinki Branch Exhibition Branch Manager’s award and Osaka Prefectural Board of Education Director’s award, and a judge of this board. Won the Modern Artist Collective Exhibition Sankei Newspaper award, member’s Honorable Mention Award, Governor of Kyoto’s award, and other awards. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, and has sold to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Held private exhibitions at the Mitsukoshi in (more…)

Kimura Morinobu 木村盛伸

1932-maleFrom Kyoto. Studied under his brother Morikazu and Shimizu Uichi. Became independent in 1967. Won the Japan Craft Art Association Kinki Branch Nikkei Honorable Mention Award award and a judge for this exhibition. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition and other exhibitions. Sold to the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Held private exhibitions at the Mitsukoshi in Nihombashi and other venues. Official member of the Japan Craft Art Association. (more…)

Kimura Morikazu 木村盛和

1921-2015maleFrom Kyoto. Studied Tetsu-yu iron glaze (Tenmoku-yu glaze) as Sawamura Jiro’s assistant at the Imperial Ceramic Experimental Institute. Became independent in 1946 at Gojo-zaka and moved the kiln in Asahi-cho, Fukui prefecture after being in Yamashina. Won the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition Award of Excellence. Won the Japan Ceramic Society Award and other awards. Held a private exhibition at the Takashimaya in Yokohama. (more…)

Kimura Mitsuru 木村充

1939-1998malemashiko potteryFrom Fujihara, Tochigi. Married the eldest daughter of Kimura Ichiro in 1968, studied under his father-in-law Ichiro, made ceramics, and later inherited the Kimura kiln as the 2nd generation. Held private exhibitions of his late father-in-law’s posthumous works in Utsunomiya and Ueno. Held private exhibitions in Matsudo, the Isetan in Takasaki, and west Berlin. Works focus on the Kaki-yu glaze and cinnabar. (more…)

Kimura Mami 木村雅美

1960-femaleFrom Osaka Prefecture. Majored in Japanese cultural history at the Faculty of Literature at Tezukayama College and completed a graduate course in Fine Art. Studied under Tsuboi Asuka. Won the Women’s Association of Ceramic Art Shinsho Award and received other selections. Graduate exhibition at Osaka Nagai Gallery. Women’s Association of Ceramic Art member. Works focus on objects and tableware. Excels at kakiotoshi etching. (more…)

Kimura Bifu 木村微風

1951-malebizen potteryFrom Funao, Okayama. Graduated from Mizushima Industrial High School. Joined Kimura Toshoen ceramic studio at the recommendation of Mizukawa Toei of Kibi ware and made ceramics. Later was selected by Kimura Bifu of Kibido ceramic studio and joined. Married his eldest daughter and succeeded him. Succeeded the name of Bifu when his father-in-law passed away in 1980. Excels at perilla leaves and sesame. (more…)

Kimura Toshimasa 木村利正

1929-malebizen potterySecond son of Kimura Shoji of Toshoen ceramic studio. Graduated from the Faculty of Commerce at Hosei University. Later cooperated with his older brother Toho, the head of Toshoen ceramic studio, and demonstrated excellent management abilities during the difficult times around 1955. Has over 30 years of experience with ceramics, and works focus on tea bowls. Held a private exhibitions at Tenmaya in Okayama. (more…)

Kimura Tozan 17th 十七代 木村桃山

1942-malebizen potteryReal name is Kenji. The eldest son of Tozan, the 16th generation to succeed Tokeido. Graduated from Bizen High School. Graduated from Kyoto Institute of Craft Art before returning home to study ceramic sculptures under Miyamoto Takashi. Selected for the sculpture section of the Kansai Exhibition and Modern Art Exhibition and won awards. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition. Member of the Okayama Sculpting Society. Succeeded the name of 16th generation Tozan in 1976. (more…)

Kimura Takaaki 木村隆明

1943-malebizen potterySecond son of Ichiyo. Started making ceramics in 1962. Started a kiln in Futatsuzuka in 1974 and built a semiterrestrial cellar kiln in 1980. Won the Japan Folk Craft Exhibition Silver Award and Highest Award of Excellence. Won the Issuikai Exhibition Issuikai Award and other awards. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts. (more…)

Kimura Sojo 木村素静

1945-malebizen potteryReal name is Motoko. From Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo Kasei University. Later studied under Isezaki Jun. Became independent in 1980. Selected for the Women’s Association of Ceramic Art and Issuikai Exhibition. Held private exhibitions at the Okayama Asuka Gallery, the Keio in Shinjuku, and the Mitsukoshi in Ginza. (more…)

Kimura Sotoku 木村宗得

1919-1987malebizen potterySecond son of the Imbe artisan Sotaro (15th generation Sotoku). A branch family of the Kimura family, one of the six families with Bizen ware kilns, and a lineage with excellent craftwork over the generations. Ornaments of cows, carp, and the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. Incense burners of dragons and chrysanthemums. Hand-formed handleless Japanese tea pots. Succeeded the name of 16th generation Sotoku in 1951. Real name is Genichi. (more…)

Kimura Jun 木村潤

1958-femalebizen potteryFrom Okayama. Real name is Junko. Studied under her husband Gyokushu and made ceramics. Works focus on handicrafts, small sculptures, and ceramic sculptures and excels at the tatara method. Has had a two-artist exhibition at the Junkudo Gallery in Kobe and other venues. (more…)

Kimura Shigekazu 木村重一

1926-maleStarted making ceramics around 1965 after being attracted by ceramics from the Joseon dynasty. Has visited Korea over 20 times. Has engaged in Buncheong ware, Gyeryongsan ware, and Mishima ware since 1975. Held biennial private exhibitions at the Hankyu in Osaka and has held private exhibitions at the Mitsukoshi in Matsuyama and the new gallery that he operates. (more…)

Kimura Kozo 木村宏造

1941-malebizen potteryEldest son of Ichiyo, the 1st generation of the kiln. Graduated from the Sculpture Course at the Kanazawa College of Art. Returned home after training at the Kyoto Craft Art Research Institute. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Issuikai Exhibition, and Japan Craft Art Association Branch Exhibition. Created tile walls for the Okayama Labor Welfare Center and has engaged in various other projects. Held private exhibitions at the Odakyu in Shinjuku and other venues. (more…)

Kimura Koji 喜村晧司

1936-malehagi potteryFrom Shimane Prefecture. Studied Iwami ware, Koshiwara ware, Takatori ware, and Hagi ware under Tsukigata Nahiko of Onishino. Became independent in 1972. Engages in tea bowls based on Hagi ware. Held an exhibition in Masuda in 1984 to commemorate 30 years of making ceramics. (more…)

Kimura Gyokushu 木村玉舟

1943-malebizen potteryReal name is Hideo. Learned ceramics from his father Sotoku and ceramic sculpture from Ishida Kiyoshi. Graduated from Nagoya University of the Arts. Won the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition Mayor’s Award, Special Award, and other awards. Consecutively selected for the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition and Japan Sculptors Association Exhibition. Member of the Japan Ceramic Sculpture Association and Japan Sculptors Association. Excels at Nanban ware and tatara. (more…)

Kito Shukei 生陶衆啓

1931-malebizen potteryGraduated from the Bizen Pottery Center. Studied under Ohira Seinosuke and Fujiwara Ken. Established an ascending kiln in 1971. Won the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts Honorable Mention Award and other awards. Selected for the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, Japan Traditional Craft Art Chugoku Branch Exhibition, All Kansai Exhibition, and Japan New Craft Art Exhibition. Exhibited at the Faenza International Exhibition. (more…)