Japanese potters

Ichino Masahiko 市野雅彦

1961-maletamba potteryBorn in Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture1981 Studied under Imai Masayuki and his father, Shinsui1988 Became independent and established Taiga Kiln1995 The 13th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Best Work Award, Prince Chichibu’s Cup1999 The Japan Foundation’s Exhibition of Japanese Ceramics, Traveled to South America The 100th Exhibition of Japanese Crafts Today, sponsored by NHK, toured Paris and Japan2000 Chanoyu – Contemporary Art Exhibition (Helsinki City Art Museum, Finland) International Ceramic Art Exchange Exhibition (China Art Museum, Beijing, China)2002 Asian International Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taipei, Taiwan2003 Korea-Japan Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition, Geumho Art Museum, Seoul, Korea2004 COLLECT (’04 ’08 (more…)

Ishiyama Tetsuya 石山哲也

1973-maleBorn in Saitama, Japan2006 Encouragement Prize, The 44th Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan2008 Excellent Work Prize, The 46th Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan Encouragement Prize, Heiwado Art Association2010 The 21st Shumei Cultural Foundation Award, Japan Traditional Arts and Crafts Kinki Exhibition, Newcomer Encouragement Prize, Japan2013 Shiga Prefecture Art and Culture Encouragement Prize (more…)

Ishibashi Yushi 石橋裕史

1957-maleBorn in Tokyo1981 Graduated from Shitsusui Art Museum, Department of Ceramic Art Received training from Yagi Kazuo, Iwabuchi Shigeya, Kondo Yutaka, and Komoto Akito1984 Built a kiln in Kyotanba-cho, Funai-gun, Kyoto.2009 Invited to exhibit at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (Invited three times until 2019)2013 Nominated as a member of the Judging Committee of the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition (three times until 2019)2014 Invited to exhibit at the Contemporary Ceramics Phenomenon, Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of Ceramic Art2015 Certified as Kyoto Prefecture Designated Intangible Cultural Property Holder2016 Nominated as a director of Japan Kogei Association2017 Invited to exhibit at the 20th (more…)

Ikeda Shogo 池田省吾

1976-maleBorn in Kagoshima, Japan1996 Graduated from Nippon Designer Gakuin Built a snake kiln and anagama kiln in Nishinoomote City, Tanegashima Island, and became independent. Produced Namban-yakijime, Oribe and Kohiki works.1998 Graduated from Kagoshima Prefectural Industrial Technology Center, Department of Ceramics1999 Graduated from Arita Ceramic University2008 He has had a solo exhibition every year at Flaming Fields in Tokyo. (more…)

Ikura Takashi 猪倉髙志

1962-maleBorn in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture1989 Completed Tajimi City Institute of Ceramic Design (Graduation Work Exhibition, Graduation Work Prize)1991 Showa Bridge Monument (Tajimi City)1991 Showa Bridge Monument (Tajimi City) 1992 Ohora River Revetment Ceramic Wall (East side of Tajimi City General Gymnasium) 1987 Selected, The 31st Ceramic Design Competition1989 Selected, Japan Craft Exhibition1990 Selected, Asahi Contemporary Craft Exhibition2001 Selected, Takaoka Craft Competition2002 Selected, Beer-Mag Exhibition2011 Selected, 4th Kikuchi Biennial ExhibitionSelected, 21st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, ’05 18th, ’07 19th, ’09 20th (more…)

Iguchi Daisuke 井口大輔

1975-maleBorn in Tochigi Prefecture 1998 Graduated from Tohoku University of Art & Design, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Ceramics 1999 Completed a research course at the Tochigi Prefectural Institute of Ceramics, under Uraguchi Masayuki 2002 Selected for the 4th Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition (and many times since) 2004 Built a kiln in Moka City, Tochigi Prefecture. 2007 Selected for the 47th East Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition (and many times since) 2008 Judge’s Special Prize, 7th Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition 2011 Selected, 58th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (61st selection) 2012 Selected, “Contemporary of Chanoyu”, Kikuchi Museum, Tokyo, Japan 2013 Exhibited (more…)

Awa Natsuki 阿波夏紀

1988-femaleBorn in Okayama Prefecture 2011 Graduated from the Faculty of Design, Okayama Prefectural University 2013 M.F.A. in Ceramic Design, Graduate School of Design, Okayama Prefectural University Currently working in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture <Awards> 2011 The 51st Japan Craft Exhibition, Honorable Mention 2012 Selected, 46th Women’s Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan 2014 Selected, The 10th International Ceramics Exhibition Mino, Japan 2016 Grand Prize, The 5th Soba Inoguchi Art Competition, Japan 2016 Selected, Itami International Craft Exhibition, Japan 2017 Selected, Kanazawa World Craft Competition, Kanazawa, Japan The 10th Contemporary Tea Ceremony, Honorable Mention Gold Prize, The 9th Snow Design Award (more…)

Kato Hiroshige 加藤裕重

1959-maleakazu potteryBorn in Akatsu-cho, Seto City, Aichi Prefecture1983 Graduated from Meiji University and joined the family business, Kasumisen Pottery.　　　 Studied under his grandfather Senzaemon and father Kasen.1998 Inherited the 12th head of Kita Kiln, Akazu Pottery. As the 12th generation Ceramic Grand Master of KASEN (Kitagama KASEN), Hiroshige Kato is dedicated to carrying on the traditional ceramic craftsmanship of the Seto region in Japan. KASEN specialises in handmade tableware using local materials, tools and techniques. With a rich history dating back to 1656, today’s KASEN continues to preserve and promote Japanese ceramic artistry through: KASEN tableware is showcased at numerous (more…)

Kato Kasen 加藤華仙

1895-1946maleseto potteryA founder of ‘Shunto-kai’ which is a research group as the leader of potters in seto ware. The group advanced research related to the history of old pottery and developed modern pottery art. In 1936, he founded the seto ceramic art association with famous potter Itaya Hazan, Kato Kensei and Hino Atsushi. It is now the association which is pulling the Japanese pottery art along. 1895Born in Seto1913Graduated from Aichi Prefectural School of Ceramics1931Founded Shunto-kaiSelected for the 3rd Nagoya City Art Exhibition1932Selected for the 4th Nagoya City Art Exhibition1933Selected for the 5th Nagoya City Art Exhibition1934Awarded the third prize (more…)

Akiyama Yo 秋山陽

1953-maleBorn in Yamaguchi, Japan1976 Entered Kyoto City University of Arts1978 Completed Postgraduate course in ceramics, Kyoto City University of Arts 2007 Contribution Award, The 25th Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Award Enku Award, The 4th Enku Grand Award Exhibition2008 The 21st Kyoto Fine Arts Cultural Award2010 Grand Prix, The 17th Mokichi Okada Award Excellence Prize, Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony, Musée Tomo (2006)2011 The 52nd Mainichi Art Award, Mainichi Newspaper2014 Culture and Scholarship Award, Kyoto Newspaper2016 The First prize, Japan Ceramic Society (more…)

Shinohara Takashi 篠原敬

1960- Born in Suzu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Studied Pure Land Buddhism at Otani University.In 1989, he encountered clay through Suzu ancient pottery and began to make pottery.In 1989, he encountered clay through Suzu ancient pottery and began to make pottery. At the same time, he often wandered around Asia to visit the origin of beauty. He established Yu-Gi Kiln in 1995.In 2000, he held a solo exhibition at Matsuya Ginza (held every other year since then), and in 2003, he held a solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Department Store in Nihonbashi (held every year since then).In 2004, he collaborated on the (more…)

Morisato Hideo 森里秀夫

1959-maleBorn in Kyoto in. After graduating from Kyoto Municipal Hiyoshigaoka High School, Department of Japanese Painting (now known as Doda High School of Arts and Crafts), he graduated from the Kyoto Prefecture Pottery Training School. After studying under Tezuka Gyokudo, he studied under Toraku II and began his career as a potter. In 1996, he assumed the name of Toraku III. Awarded the Minister of International Trade and Industry Prize at the Kyoto and Kiyomizu Pottery Exhibition. Awarded the President of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prize at the 2006 Traditional Craft Competition. Held solo exhibitions at department (more…)

Furukawa Takeshi 古川剛

1984-maleBorn in Kyoto, Japan2004 Completed Department of Ceramic Forming, Kyoto prefectural college of technical ceramic art2005 Completed research course in ceramics, Kyoto prefectural college of technical ceramic art2006 Completed Miyako Gijuku, Kyoto City Training Program for Traditional Industry Technicians, Ceramics CourseJoined Showa Seito Co.2007 Completed the Glaze Practitioner Course, Tenmoku Glaze, Kyoto City Training Program for Traditional Industrial TechniciansExhibited at the 50th anniversary pottery exhibition of Kyoto Women’s University Elementary School2008 Completed the course for glaze practitioners of traditional industries in Kyoto City, majored in glaze of tenmoku and celadon2010 Fuji Television Network’s 50th anniversary TV drama “Fumo chitai”2011 Exhibited (more…)

Oi Itsugo 大井逸吾

1928-malebizen potteryBorn in Bizen City, the eldest son of a farmer.Served in the military and went to Manchuria. In 1946, he was demobilized and became an employee of a local company.Since he was working as a potter using a potter’s wheel, he spent his spare time learning pottery techniques.In 1965, he built a Kaku-gama (a long rectangular kiln built in the Meiji era. It was developed in many places based on the coal kilns built by Wagner) in his garden.In 1976, upon retirement from the company, he became an independent artist.He has never held a public exhibition or solo show. (more…)

Morimoto Kei 森本桂

1948-malebizen potteryBorn in Akaiwa City. 1978 Influenced by Fujiwara Kei and received instruction from him. 1982 Began to study under Oi Itsugo and trained in pottery techniques. 1986 Built a semi-subterranean anagama kiln and opened his first kiln. 1989 Became independent. He mainly produces tea bowls and mizusashi using a potter’s wheel or hand-building techniques. He uses a unique technique called “Mushi-Kui” to create unique changes in the surface of the vessels. 2011 Certified as a traditional artisan. Selected, Okayama Prefectural Art ExhibitionSelected, Asahi Ceramic Art ExhibitionAwarded the Genga Grand Prize at the Genga-kai Exhibition.Awarded the Minister of Education, Culture, (more…)

Yamada So 山田想

1979-maletokoname potteryBorn in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture. His grandfather was Yamada Jozan III, a living national treasure. His father was Yamada Jozan IV (Yamada Emu). 2002 Finished the Tokoname Municipal Ceramic Research Institute. Moved to Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture to work. 2004 Moved back to Tokoname. He has been working under the guidance of his grandfather, Yamada Jozan III, and his father, Yamada Jozan IV. 2005 First solo exhibition at Gallery CEPICA, Tokoname. 2008 Solo exhibition at Sakae Mitsukoshi, Nagoya 2009 Solo exhibition at Kuroda Toen, Ginza, Tokyo 2010 Appeared on NHK’s TV program “Utsuwa Yume Kobo”, solo exhibition at (more…)

Inoue Motozo 4th 四代 井上素三

1950-2019tokoname potteryHe had a pen name “Fushiki-an”. He was the fourth generation of a famous family that has been involved in making teapots for generations in Tokoname, a town of pottery. After graduating from a technical high school, he became an office worker, but started making pottery at the age of 25.His father, the third generation (1917-1992), began to make distinctive pieces such as bottoms for drinking water and teapots with dolls inside, and the fourth generation followed his father’s style to create unique pieces.Motozo IV was the first to sculpt even the mouth of a teapot, and his uniqueness (more…)

Oka Sakura 岡左久良

1938-malemashiko potteryBorn in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. His grandfather was Kawabata Ryushi (1885-1966), a Japanese painter and haiku poet. Studied under Hamada Shoji for 11 years. In 1989, he built a kiln at his home in Eifuku-cho, Suginami, Tokyo, and began his creative activities. He held his first solo exhibition at Daimaru in Kyoto and his second at Takashimaya in Tokyo. (more…)

Funaki Michitada 舩木道忠

1900-1963malefujina potteryBorn in Fujina (now Tamayu Town), Shimane Prefecture. Graduated from the Western-style painting department of Tokyo Fine Arts School.Holds the Shimane Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property Shibuna-yaki Technique (1962)BiographyBorn into a family that runs the Funaki Heibei Kiln, a Fujina ware kiln. After studying Western-style painting at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, he returned home to take over the family business and became a potter. In the early Showa period (1926-1989), he participated in Yanagi Soetsu’s folk art movement, and was inspired by Hamada Shoji and Bernard Leach, and devoted himself to his work. He aspired (more…)

Imai Makimasa 今井眞正

1961-maleBorn in Kyoto as son of Imai Masayuki.1986 Graduated from Tokyo University of The Fine Arts, sculpture section.Received KUME –KEIICHIRO memorial prize2002 Received the prize for the outstanding arts new comer of Kyoto city.2010 Joined “Japonais Moderne (Modern Japan)” held under the auspice of the France NationalFine-Arts Society at Carrousel de Louvre, ( Paris, France.)2011 China Kaolin International Ceramic art Contest (Jingdezhen, China)2013 “Kyoto KERAMIK”, (Handworks kammer zu Koln, Germany)The Exhibition “Art of KOGEI, Spilit of Kyoto 2013” (Vietnam Fine Art Museum, Hanoi)2014 “Beaute de la ceramique Kyo-yaki” (Maison de la culture du Japon, Paris, France)2015 The RIMPA School 400th (more…)