Japanese potters

Kawai Akiko 川井明子

1930-femalebizen potteryThird daughter of Konishi Toko. Studied under Yamamoto Toshu at the Okayama Prefectural Ceramic Technique Institute. Selected for the Women’s Association of Ceramic Art, Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts, Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, Issuikai Exhibition, and other exhibitions and won awards. Held private exhibitions and group exhibitions at the Tokyu in Shibuya, Osaka, and the Sogo in Hiroshima. Member of the Women’s Association of Ceramic Art. (more…)

Karajima Koji 辛島功士

1942-malemashiko potteryFrom Hitachi. Dropped out of the Faculty of Engineering at Gunma University and later studied under Kamoda Shoji. Became independent in 1969. Selected for the Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Craft Art, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and Kita Kanto Fine Art Exhibition. Held private exhibitions at the Takashimaya in Nihombashi and other venues. Works focus on hand-forming. (more…)

Karashima Issei 辛島一誓

1921-2006maleFrom Oita Prefecture. Was initially active in the field of painting and exhibited watercolor paintings at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition and Kofukai Art Association. Also held private exhibitions. Was attracted by the ceramic works by Picasso and started making ceramics in Mashiko around 1948 (possibly 1958 due to the unclear printing in the book). Works focus on hand-forming and ceramic sculptures. Held private exhibitions in the Daimaru in Tokyo and the Matsuya in Ginza. (more…)

Karakida Matazo 唐木田又三

1926-2012malematsushiro potteryDropped out of Tokyo University of the Arts. Worked as a junior high school instructor, started a kiln in Matsushiro, Nagano in 1963, and successfully revived the techniques of Matsushiro ware. Later trained at the Nagoya Ceramic Institute and studied under Okabe Mineo. Started a kiln in Yomaze in 1972. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition. Held private exhibitions at the Mitsukoshi in Nihombashi. Official member of the Japan Craft Art Association. (more…)

Karaki Yonenosuke 唐木米之助

1923-2014maletakato potteryFrom Takato. Worked at a ceramic factory from a young age and operated a ceramic business in Seto for 20 years from 1955. Was invited by his hometown of Takato in 1975 to revive Takato ware and started a kiln in Hanahata. Selected for the National Nipputen Exhibition, Tokokai Association National Exhibition, and Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Member of the Nagano Prefectural Potter Society. Held many private exhibitions. (more…)

Kameyama Hiwa 亀山日和

1947-femalekyo potteryFrom Kyoto. Studied under Kameyama Daisuke. Selected for the Fukuchiyama Exhibition, Kyoto Prefectural Exhibition, Craft Exhibition, Shinsho Craft Art Exhibition, and Traditional Craft Art Kinki Branch Exhibition and won awards. Held private exhibitions in Kyoto, Ginza, the Tachikichi in Shinsaibashi, the Hanshin in Osaka, and other venues. (more…)

Kamei Rakuzan 亀井楽山

1945-maletakatori potteryReal name is Hiroshi. Studied under the 14th generation Kamei Miraku starting in 1961. Won the Fukushima Municipal Exhibition Mayor’s Award and a judge of the exhibition. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Mainichi Ceramic Exhibition, and other exhibitions and won awards. Director of the Japan Ceramic Society Hakata Branch. Instructor of prefectural and municipal ceramic classes. Member of the Prefectural Fine Art Society. (more…)

Kamei Miraku 14th 十四代 亀井味楽

1931-2014maletakatori potteryReal name is Genpachiro. Studied under his grandfather, the 13th generation Miraku. Succeeded the name of 14th generation Miraku of Takatori ware in 1964. Official member of the Japan Craft Art Association. Intangible cultural property of Fukuoka City. Director of the Prefectural Fine Art Society. Director of the Fukuoka Cultural Federation. Manager of the Japan Ceramic Society Hakata Branch. Director of the Prefectural Ceramic Society and many other positions. (more…)

Kamei Masaru 亀井勝

1933-maleseto potteryStudied under his father and made ceramics. Works focus on flower vases made with the spinning lathe, strings, and black Koku-yu glaze. Won the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition Special Selection and a judge and member of the exhibition. Won the Kofukai Art Association Exhibition Kofu Award and a judge and Council Member of the exhibition. Won the Modern Craft Exhibition Foreign Minister’s Award and Chunichi Grand Prize and a judge and Director of the exhibition. (more…)

Kamei Miraku 15th 十五代 亀井味楽

1960-maletakatori potterySecond son of the 14th generation Miraku. Real name is Masahisa. Graduated from Kyoto Saga University of Arts. Won the Fukuoka Prefectural Exhibition Honorable Mention Award, Toyoda Award, and Mainichi Newspaper Award. Won the Municipal Exhibition Board of Education Award. Won the Nagasaki Ceramic Exhibition Asahi Newspaper Award and other awards. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and other exhibitions. Member of the Prefectural Fine Art Society. Director of the Japan Ceramic Society Hakata Branch and other positions. (more…)

Kamei Koichi 亀井幸一

1951-maleFrom Awaji Island, Hyogo. Graduated from Seto Ceramic High School. Studied under Kawamoto Goro. Won the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts Semi-grand Prize and Honorable Mention Award. Won the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition Honorable Mention Award. Won the Choza Award Exhibition Choza Award and Honorable Mention Award. Selected for the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition, Japan New Craft Art Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Works focus on decorations and objects made using strings. (more…)

Kamei Asao 亀井朝男

1935-2019maleFrom Kyoto. Father is Kamei Genbei, the Japanese-style painter. Graduated from Hiyoshigaoka High School. Studied under Suzuki Osamu. Studied under Kawamura Kitaro in 1955 and later started a kiln in Hachioji. Started an ascending kiln in Ueda in 1975 and moved. Not affiliated and focuses on private exhibitions. Creates objects using yakishime. (more…)

Kamiyama Kohei 上山耕平

1947-maleFrom Aomori City. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Chuo University. Graduated from the Faculty of Craft Art at Musashino Art University and later joined a company that manufactures ceramics in the Shigaraki ware style in Shiga. Returned home in 1975 and started a kiln. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Design Exhibition, Shinkozo Exhibition, and Artist Association of Asia Exhibition. Held private exhibitions at Goju Ichiban-kan Gallery in Aomori and other venues. Works focus on inlay work, colors behind the glaze, and Doro Kesho (mud make-up). (more…)

Kamiya Wako 神谷和子

1944-femalemino potteryFrom Fukuoka Prefecture. Studied at the Seto Ceramic Instruction Institute and studied under Kato Juemon. Later traveled to kilns around the country. Started a kiln in Ichinomiya in 1968 and moved the kiln to Toki in 1971. Held private exhibitions in the United States and various other venues. Member of the Mino Ceramic Society. (more…)

Kamiya Itsuo 神谷逸男

1951-maleFrom Mashiko. Dropped out of the Faculty of Craft Art Design at Musashino Art University. Studied under Mimura Hokudo. Started a kiln in 1971. Was inspired by the way Kawai Kenjiro lived and aimed to be a life creator. (more…)

Kamiya Norio 神谷紀雄

1940-maleFrom Mashiko, Tochigi. Aimed to carry on the family business of ceramics, graduated from the Faculty of Sculpting at Tama Art University, and later made ceramics. Studied under Tamura Koichi. Selected for the Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Craft Art and Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition and won awards. Held annual private exhibitions at the Wako in Ginza and other venues. Works focus on celadon, Yuriko red copper glaze, and kakiotoshi etching. Permanent Director of the Chiba Prefectural Fine Art Society. Official member of the Japan Craft Art Association. (more…)

Kamiya Torao 神谷虎男

1935-maleFrom Tokoname. Graduated from Tokoname High School. Started a ceramic club in 1976 and named it Ryuko kiln. Studied tea bowls under Kato Shuntei. Succeeded the name of the 8th generation Chobei in 1981. Held private exhibitions at the Moegi Gallery and other venues. Selected for the Local Exhibition and won awards. (more…)

Kamiya Eisuke 神谷英介

1938-maleFrom Takahama, Aichi. Studied under Kawamoto Goro. Won the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition Grand Prize and Award of Excellence. Won the Kofukai Art Association Craft Art Award. Won the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts Foreign Minister’s Award. Won the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition Chunichi Award and Special Selection. Won the Aichi Prefectural Art Selection Culture Award. Member and judge of the Japan New Craft Artist Federation. Fellow Member of the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition. Works focus on abstract works, ceramic panels, and Tessai iron pigment yakishime. (more…)

Kamide Choemon 4th 四代 上出長右エ門

1929-malekutani porcelainIt was founded in 1879 by the first generation as a wholesaler of Kutani-ware, mainly for export, and started manufacturing in 1897. In 1941, a kiln was built and named “Kamide Chouemon Kiln”, and tea utensils, tableware, and miscellaneous vessels were manufactured from generation to generation.He is the 4th generation of the Kutani ware Choemon kiln. Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art. Studied under Kitade Tojiro. Won the Kutani Exhibition of New Works Prefectural Governor’s Award. Won the National Traditional Industry Exhibition Ministry of International Trade and Industry Bureau Chief’s Award and other awards. Served as the Sozo Bijutsu (more…)

Kamide Kizan 4th 四代 上出喜山

1922-malekutani porcelainReal name is Sadayoshi. Studied under the 3rd generation Kizan. Succeeded the name of the 4th generation Kizan in 1973. Won the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition Ishikawa Branch Award of Excellence. Selected for the Japanese Traditional Craft Art Exhibition. Commissioned kiln of the Imperial Household Agency. Produced numerous works as gifts for overseas dignitaries. Works include Kinrande, Nishikide, Sarasa Komon patterns, and five-colored Gosai. (more…)