Japanese potters

Otsuka Mokichi 大塚茂吉

1956-maleBorn in Tokyo, Japan1979 Graduated with a degree in Japanese Painting, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts1981 M.F.A. in Japanese Painting, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music1996 Completed G. Ballardini National School of Ceramics1997 Solo exhibition at La Rogetta Trentanove, Italy Exhibition “Possibility of Pot” at Palazzo Cheesi, Italy1998 The 50th International Biennial of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy 4th Cairo International Ceramic Art Biennial, Cairo, Egypt 38th Castellamonte Ceramic Art Exhibition, Palazzo Comunale, Italy1999 Solo Exhibition, Studio Cavaelli, Italy “Terracotta from Italy – Aldo Lontini and Otsuka Mokichi”, Sogetsu Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan2002 Solo exhibition (more…)

Yamamoto Choza 山本長左

1953-malekutani porcelainHe is a Kutani style painter. 1972 Studied Sometsuke under Kamide Choemon and Sketching under Fujiwara Shigeo (Japan Kogei Association)1974 Studied Uwaetsuke (painting on paper) with Matsumoto Sakichi (Japan Kogei Association)1976 Studied Shonzui-style and tea ceremony pottery under Tezuka Gyokudo (Teiten and Nitten) in Kyoto1978 Studied Imari-style and old style blue and white under Juraku Shimada1981 Became independent and started designing and producing special Japanese tableware for famous department stores1990 Commissioned by the Imperial Household Agency to design and produce Japanese tableware for the accession ceremonyProduced seven items of Japanese tableware related to the coronation ceremony2000 Commissioned by the (more…)

Oishi Sayaka 大石早矢香

1980-femaleBorn in Kyoto, Japan2004 Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, Faculty of Fine Arts, majoring in ceramics　　　 Kyoto City University of Arts 2003 Production Exhibition, Alumni Prize, Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art　　　 Excellent Prize, Tateyoshi Craft Competition New Buds of Kyoto Ceramics2007 Kyoto Prefectural Selected Exhibition of New Artists in Arts and Crafts2013 Kobe Biennial Contemporary Ceramics Competition, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum, Japan2014 Japan-Korea Ceramics Exchange Exhibition, Kyoto, Korea　　　 Contemporary Tea Ceremony Award, Shibuya Hikarie, Tokyo　　　 43rd Chozo Prize, Tokoname Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan2015 Meyer x Shigaraki Grand Prize, Silver Prize (USA)　　　 Kyoto Exhibition Director’s Encouragement Prize, Kyoto Municipal (more…)

Uchimura Shintaro 内村慎太郎

1975-maleBorn in Kagoshima Prefecture. 1995 After graduating from Kagoshima National College of Technology, worked as a bridge designer, but was attracted to old pottery and started his career in pottery. 2002 Became independent as Raizanbo in Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture. 2008 Moved to a new studio and opened Yamai Kiln. 2019 Selected for the “Formative Exhibition of Chanoyu” at the Tabe Art Museum in Shimane Prefecture. (more…)

Uematsu Eiji 植松永次

1949-maleBorn in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture1972 Began making reliefs by checking the quality of the clay, and later began working with pottery in Tokyo.1975 Moved to Shigaraki-cho, Koka City, Shiga Prefecture, where he worked at a pottery factory while continuing to create his own works.1982 Moved to Maruhashira, Iga City, Mie Prefecture, and expanded his work area to include field firing, using both wood and kerosene kilns.1996 Worked as a guest artist in the artist-in-residence program at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park2007 Eiji Uematsu Ceramic Art Exhibition: The Shape of Clay, Itami Craft Center, Hyogo, Japan2009 Eiji Uematsu Exhibition: Earth, (more…)

Ueba Kasumi 植葉香澄

1978-femaleborn in Kyoto. Ueba integrates Japanese traditional decorative motifs such as interlocking circles or hexagonal pattern onto ceramic works, generating “chimera” of body and color with stories. Her work, inspired with yuzen-dyed fabrics or traditional objects, can be both pop and contemporary. -2001　BA at Kyoto City University of Arts-2002　finished pottery at Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture-2011　Honorable Mention at Kyoto Prefectural Cultural Award-2012　awarded Kyoto Municipal Cultural Award (more…)

Imanishi Kimihiko 今西公彦

1971-maletamba potteryBorn in Tachikui, Tamba1993 Completed Kyoto Prefectural College of Ceramics1995 Completed Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute. Became an apprentice at Akira Okamoto’s house in Kyoto2000 Returned to Tamba and started pottery making. Completed the training course for engineers of Kyoto City Company.2001 Built a kiln in Mita City.2005 Solo exhibition at Gallery Kitanozaka2006 Selected for Tea Ceremony Formative Exhibition, New Oribe Ceramics Exhibition, and Osaka Ceramic Art Exhibition2010 Selected, Contemporary Tea Ceremony Pottery Exhibition2016 Solo exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Department Store (more…)

Higaki Soraku 2nd 二代 檜垣崇楽

1927-femaleHigaki Soraku II was born in Kyoto as the eldest daughter of Higaki Shohaku, and opened the kiln with her husband, Higaki Soraku I, in Nishiyama, Kyoto in 1955.In 1983, after her husband passed away, she assumed the name of Higaki Soraku II. Higaki Soraku IHe had studied under his father, Higaki Shohaku I, inherited the Katsuragama kiln, mainly producing tea bowls. (more…)

Kato Takeshi 加藤貴志

1973-maleBorn in Fujiyoshida-shi, Yamanashi1997 Graduated Meisei University, Department of Art and Design, Ceramics1997 Studied under Takahashi Hirosi1998～2003 “Kome no Utsuwa (rice bowl exhibition)” at Keio Department Store in Shinjuku1999 Studied under Xu Xiutang, the China Arts and Crafts Master, to atain the making of chinese tea pot in Province of Jiangsu Yixing City Changle Hong1999 “Kome no Utsuwa (rice bowl exhibition)” at Kokou in Kanda“10000 serving dishes” at Niigata Mitsukoshi2005 “Works of Kato Takashi” at Keio Department Store (everyyear since 2005)2006 Settled own studio in Hanno-shi, Saitama2007、09、10 “Kougei Ima Group Exhibition”2009、10 “Works of Kato Takashi” at Cafe Matsuya in Fujiyoshida2010～ (more…)

Yorigami Sohaku 3rd 三代 寄神崇白

1937-unka potteryBorn in Kyoto, Japan1956 Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Vocational School of Ceramics1957 Graduated from the Ceramics Department of the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute1975 Assumed the name of Yorigami Sohaku, the 3rd generation2001 Moved to Tamba, Japan The name Yorigami Sohaku is a name that the head of the Unka pottery family has taken over for generations. The first generation of the family had been making roof tiles for shrines and temples for a long time, and also made art roof tiles for the reconstruction of national treasures.Unka ware is a type of pottery that uses a traditional technique (more…)

Imaizumi Takeshi 今泉毅

1978-maleBorn in Saitama Prefecture 2002 Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Political Science and Economics 2002 Selected for Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition Selected for Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition (2003,2004) 2008 Selected, Taiwan World Ceramic Biennale 2009 Grand Prize, Katsura Palace Cup, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, sponsored by Mainichi Newspaper 2009 Bronze Prize, Korea World Ceramic Biennale 2010 “A Look at Contemporary KOGEI”: Tea Ceremony, National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Japan 2011 Selected, Faenza International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Italy 2016 Exhibited at “Modern Craft and the Tea Ceremony II” (The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo) (more…)

Imai Sadamasa 今井完眞

1989-maleBorn in Kyoto City 2005 Enrolled in Kyoto City Dohda High School of Arts and Crafts 2007 Kyoto City Superintendent of Education Award, Kyoto City Art and Craft Exhibition, Kyoto Municipal Dohda Art and Craft High School 2008 Graduated from the same school, “Potters who grew up in Takehara” organized by Takehara City (Takehara Art Museum) 2009 Enrolled in Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Crafts 2011 Men’s Exhibition (Tokyo University of the Arts Gallery) Participated in Tokyo International Ceramics Symposium, Tokyo, Japan Selected, 1st China Gaoling International Ceramics Exhibition, 6th Art Plaza Grand Prize Exhibition, Kyoto, Japan 2011 (more…)

Inoue Masayuki 井上雅之

1957-maleBorn in Hyogo Prefecture1983 Graduated with a degree in Oil Painting, Faculty of Art and Design, Tama Art University1985 Completed Graduate School of Art and Design, Tama Art University, Major in Painting (Ceramics)1998 Assistant Professor, Department of Crafts, Faculty of Art and Design, Tama Art University2006 Professor, Tama Art University (more…)

Inazaki Eriko 稲崎栄利子

1972-femaleBorn in Hyogo Prefecture1993 Asahi Contemporary Craft Exhibition, Excellent Prize1995 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Industrial Design1997 M.F.A. in Ceramics, Kyoto City University of Arts2004 Excellent Work Prize, The 42nd Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan2005 Bronze Prize, The 7th International Ceramics Exhibition Mino, Japan2007 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Meguro Ceramic Art Gallery, Mie, Japan (’10) (’12) (’14) (’16) (’19)2009 “Women Potters for the 21st Century”, Paramita Museum, Tokyo2013 “The Challenge of New Age Pottery!” (Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Cultural Park)2014 “Contemporary Ceramic Phenomenon”, Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of Ceramic Art, Japan2014 Dialogue with Materials Contemporary Japanese Art and Crafts (Turkey)2015 Contemporary (more…)

Hatsumi Yutaka 初見裕

1950-malemino potteryBorn in Yokohama.After training in Kyoto, studied at the Mino Ceramic Design Institute. Opened a kiln in Mino. (more…)

Kondo Masahiko 近藤正彦

1971-malebizen potteryBorn in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture1989 Studied under Okada Sekiun1996 Studied under Kakurezaki Ryuichi2003 Became independent in Kamikaze Ushimado-cho Participated in the “Formative of Chanoyu” exhibition at the Tabe Art Museum.Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and many other awards and prizes.Held solo exhibitions throughout Japan. (more…)

Ito Hidehito 伊藤秀人

1971-maleBorn in Tajimi City, Gifu.1991　Finishes his ceramic study at Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center.1995　Wins a prize at the Table Ware Festival.1996　Builds his own kiln in Toki City, Gifu.1998　Wins a prize at the International Ceramic Exhibition in Mino.2000　Wins a prize at the 2nd Modern Pottery for tea ceremony.1998　Wins Silver prize at International Ceramics Festival ’98.2000　Wins Gold prize at Modern Tea Ceramics Exhibition.2013　Wins First prize at Paramita Ceramic Awards2014　Imperial household agency chose his work at Japan Kogei Association2016　Exhibits his works at Art Fair Tokyo2017　Wins the Japan Ceramic Society Award teabowl 101,000 JPY (more…)

Tsuchiya Zenshiro 土屋善四郎

?-1786malefujina potteryMid-Edo period potter of Fushina ware in Izumo Province (Shimane Prefecture). His name was Yoshikata. The Tsuchiya family is said to have originated from Matsumoto in Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture), and his father was a potter named Dokiya Zen’emon who ran a pottery business in the town of Yokohama in Matsue. In 1756, under the orders of Matsudaira Muneyoshi, the 6th lord of the Matsue domain, he became a potter at Rakuzan (Mt. Rakuzan) in order to revive Rakuzan ware. In 1780, Matsudaira Fumai, the seventh lord of the domain, ordered Fushina ware potters to produce his favorite wares, but (more…)

Takahashi Rakusai 5th 五代 高橋楽斎

1954-maleshigaraki potteryHis real name is Kozo, born in Shigaraki.1975 Graduated from Shiga Prefectural Shigaraki Ceramic Research Institute.1977 Formed the Mutual Pottery Society under the guidance of Professor Arakawa Toyozo.1984 Solo exhibition at Osaka Takashimaya, 12 times since then.1984 Solo exhibition at Osaka Takashimaya, 12 times since then.1994 Solo exhibition at Kakiden Gallery, Tokyo ・1995 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo.1999 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi, Fukuoka, five times since then.2010 Succession exhibition of Rakusai V at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi.2011 Solo exhibition at Takashimaya Department Store, Nagoya. (more…)

Ito Tadashi 伊藤正

1952-maleBorn in Kamaishi City, Iwate Prefecture1979 Trained at Tsukamoto Pottery Works in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture1985 Built a kiln in Tono City, Iwate Prefecture.1995 Built a kiln in Towa-cho, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture2001 Exhibited at the “Bi no kuni Waga kokyo (Land of Beauty, Our Homeland)” exhibition at Yorozutsugoro Memorial Museum, Iwate2004 Invited to participate in the 22nd Asahi Contemporary Craft Exhibition, Osaka and Yokohama.2006 Exhibited at “The Best of Contemporary Ceramics”, Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of Ceramic Art, Japan2008 “The 2nd Tomo Art Museum Grand Prize, Contemporary Tea Ceremony Pottery: Freedom of Form and Beauty of Design”, Tomo Art Museum, Tokyo(The (more…)