Japanese potters

Tsuji Teruko 辻輝子

1920-2017femaleBorn in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, the eldest daughter of Tsuji Seikichi, an industrialist father, and Tomi, a mother. Becomes the first modern female ceramic artist in Japan. Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor Heise and Empress of Japan visited her home and studio. 1938 Graduates from Komazawa High School for Girls (later Komazawa Gakuen Girls High School).Studied ceramics under Omori Mitsuhiko and Tomimoto Kenkichi, and Japanese painting under Asaka Kinshiro. 1939 Exhibited her works at the New York World’s Fair. 1941 Exhibited her works at the San Francisco World’s Fair.Awarded a special prize at the Tokyo Contemporary Craft Exhibition.Built a kiln in (more…)

Tani Q 谷穹

1977-maleshigaraki potteryBorn in Shiga Prefecture. Grandfather is Tani Seiemon. 2000After graduating from Seian University of Art and Design, he accompanied sculptor Nakahashi Katsushige to exhibitions in Japan and abroad as his assistant. 2001Received instruction in rokuro from Kitamura Kikiyama’s second son, Kitamura Juzo, and instruction in anagama from his eldest son, Kikiyama II. After that, he worked at the family business, Seiemon Pottery. 2007Built a twin-chambered anagama kiln, which is often seen in Shigaraki in the Middle Ages, but it went astray, and after improving it every year, built the current single-chambered anagama kiln in 2012. 2014His work “Shigaraki Large (more…)

Tanaka Shinobu 田中忍

1962-maleBorn in Ureshino-cho, Fujitsu-gun, Saga Prefecture. 1987 Returned to his hometown and studied under his father Tanaka Kazuaki. 1996 The Minister of Education’s Honorable Mention at the Saga Prefectural Exhibition, and the Japan New Craft Prize at the Japan New Craft Exhibition. 1998 Excellent Prize at the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Second Prize at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition. 1999 Awarded the Newcomer Prize of the Saga Bank Cultural Foundation. Purchased the work “White Summer” from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2001 Awarded the Japan New Craft Honorable Mention at the Japan New Craft Exhibition. 2005 Served as a judge (more…)

Takagi Ganka 6th 六代 高木岩華

1988-malekyo potteryReal name is Ryuta. Born in Kyoto. 2008 Completed the molding course at the Kyoto prefectural college of technology for ceramic art. 2009 Completed research course at Kyoto prefectural college of technical ceramic art. 2010 Graduated from Kyoto City Institute of Industrial Technology, Department of Ceramics. Studied under Yamada Shinman, Okinawa Yomitanzan Pottery. 2013 Studied under his father, Takagi Genka V. 2016 Took over the family business after the death of Ganka V.Member of Kyoto Traditional Ceramic Artists Association. (more…)

Shimizu Yayoi 清水弥生

1956-femalebizen potteryBorn in Tokyo1973 She visited Bizen as part of a pottery workshop at Musashino Art University and was attracted by the simplicity of the soil. After marrying Shimizu Masayuki, an artist who was training under Mori Totake at the time, she decided to pursue her career in ceramics.1975 Her husband, Masayuki, built a semi-subterranean anagama kiln in Doji, Nagafune, Bizen (since then she has mainly produced hand twisted pottery).1985 Built a small anagama kiln under the guidance of her husband.1989 First “Bizen Tableware Exhibition” held at Gallery Ogawa, Akasaka, Tokyo.1992 Held the 2nd “Bizen Flower Vase and Utensils Exhibition” (more…)

Matsuya Kikusaburo 松屋菊三郎

1820-1889malekutani porcelainKikusaburo Matsuya was born in 1820 as the second son of a doctor in the village of Kazuhari Komatsu. When Kikusaburo was thirteen years old at the beginning of the Tempo period, the Wakasugi and Ono kilns were operating as porcelain production factories, and it was natural for everyone to have dreams and aspirations of becoming a potter. Kikusaburo also wanted to become a potter and began training under Aoiya Gen’emon, who had returned to Komatsu from the Yoshidaya kiln at that time. Choosing Gen’ emon as his teacher was the most important factor in Kikusaburo becoming a master (more…)

Aoya Gen’emon 粟生屋源右衛門

1797-1863malekutani porcelainSon of Aoya Genbei, a potter in Komatsu, Kaga Province (Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture). Using Toko, the same pen name as his father. At the Wakasugi Kiln, Aoya Gen’emon worked hard to acquire pottery-making skills under Honda Teikichi, and became a master potter at a young age, but he continued to study the style of Kutani ware, later called “Blue Kutani,” under the instruction of Teikichi. Even after Sadakichi’s death, he continued to strive for the revival of Old Kutani, refining the ceramic techniques of Raku ware that he inherited from his father, the techniques of mixing colored glazes (more…)

Honda Teikichi 本多貞吉

1766-1819malekutani porcelainBorn in Meiwa 3. Born in Shimabara, Hizen, the advanced area of porcelain production. In 4th year of the Bunka period, he established a kiln with Aoki Mokubei at Kasugayama in Kanazawa, Kaga, and started the revival of Kutani ware.Mokubei began to produce mainly daily utensils copied in red overglaze enamels, but was forced to return to Kyoto halfway through the project due to disagreements with the clan. On the other hand, Teikichi, who remained in Kaga, discovered high-quality Hanasaka pottery stones in the Nomi area and opened the Wakasugi Kiln under the guidance of Hayashi Yahei of Wakasugi (more…)

Kaburaki store 鏑木商舗

1822-kutani porcelainKaburaki store was established in Kanazawa, during the reign of the 11th Tokugawa Shogun as the first Kutani ware merchant family, and has maintained its good name for about 200 years.At the time of its establishment, there was a growing momentum to revive Kutani ware after the abandonment of the old Kutani kilns for over 110 years.In response to the wishes of the Kaga clan, the shop not only sold products purchased from various kilns, but also gathered master artisans to paint at its own workshop, thereby playing a role in the spread of Kutani ware within the clan.During (more…)

Kisendo 賞美堂

1948-arita porcelainKisendo is a trading company specializing in Arita-yaki porcelain. While respecting the 400-year tradition of Arita-yaki, They also offer a wide range of vessels that fit in with the current times. Since its establishment, Kisendo has been researching Old Imari designs with an awareness of Arita-yaki’s gorgeous color paintings and vessels with shapes that make people want to use them on a daily basis. By improving their manufacturing techniques while maintaining their prestige, they have succeeded in creating products that are more affordable. (more…)

Yoshino Kogaku 3rd 三代 吉野香岳

1970-etchu-seto potteryBorn in Tateyama Town, Toyama Prefecture.1992 Graduated with a degree in Ceramics, Department of Sculpture, Kyoto Seika University.1993 Trainee, Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga.1994 Trainee at Kyoto Municipal Industrial Ceramics Research Institute.1995 Returned to Toyama to help with the family businessGroup exhibitions in and outside of Toyama (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka).2010 Assumed the name of Koraku III. Solo exhibitions at Kanazawa Korinbo and Toyama Yamato. (more…)

Yamaoka Tetsuzan 3rd 三代 山岡徹山

1959-malekawara potteryReal name is Toru. Birth of the third generation of Kawara kiln. 1989 Selected for the first time at the Japan Contemporary Craft Exhibition, and has been selected ten times since. 1990 Studied under Tanaka Sajiro, Karatsu ware. 1991 Received Buddhist ordination and attained spiritual maturity at Eiheiji Temple. 1999 Member of Japan Contemporary Craft Artists Association. 2002 Started research and production of Goryeo Tea Bowl at the kiln of Shin Jeong in Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. Commemorated the 30th anniversary of the normalization of culture between Japan and China at Shizuoka Prefectural Museum of Art. Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of (more…)

Yabe Shunichi 矢部俊一

1968-malebizen potteryBorn in Ibe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture in 1968.Aspired to be a sculptor from the time he was a junior high school student. After graduating from the Sculpture Department of Nagoya University of Arts, he trained as a potter and became independent.His grandfather and father were both Bizen ware artists. His grandfather, Yamamoto Tohshu, is a master of the potter’s wheel and a living national treasure.He has actively participated in international competitions.He has won many awards and prizes. The 3rd Kikuchi Biennale 2009, the 9th International Ceramics Festival Mino 2011 and others. (more…)

Morishige Toru 守繁徹

1954-malehagi potteryBorn in Hage, Yamaguchi prefecture. He went on to study at Takushoku University. Influenced by his father, Morishige Eitetsu, he entered the world of pottery making, and after graduation, he studied under Eitetsu and trained with other students. 1990 Encouragement Prize, The Third Civilization Exhibition. 1996 Selected for the 4th Tanko Biennale Exhibition National Ceramic Art Exhibition, Honorable Mention. Selected for Asian Craft Exhibition. Selected for The Third Civilization Exhibition. 1999 Encouragement Prize, All Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. 2000 All Japan Pottery Exhibition, Honorable Mention. 2002 Fukutaro Prize at Chishinkai Exhibition. 2003 Participated in the Korea-Japan Ceramic Well Tea (more…)

Morioka Kasho 4th 四代 森岡嘉祥

1974-malekyo potteryBorn in Gojozaka, Kyoto, the eldest son of Morioka Kasho III. 1993 Graduated from the Ceramics Department of Kyoto Municipal DODA High School of Arts and Crafts. Studied under his father, Kasho III.Since then, he has held exhibitions at Shinjuku Isetan Department Store and Chiba Mitsukoshi Department Store. 1995 Opened Kasho Kiln Pottery Museum in Sannenzaka, Kiyomizu, and served as the chief instructor of the pottery class. Began working with his father, Kasho III, at the Jingdezhen Kiln in China, producing ware with wiped pigments, wucai, mucai, and underglaze red. 1996 Began producing Kinuta celadon and Hangzhou Guangyao celadon (more…)

Mori Taiga 森大雅

1974-malebizen potteryBorn in Ibe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture 2000 Graduated from the Ceramic Art Center. Inherited the kiln of his grandfather Mori Furai. Studied pottery carving under Kimura Gyokushu. 2001 First solo exhibition in Tokyo at To-midori garelly, Okayama Tenmaya, Matsuya Ginza store (8 times), Kobe Daimaru store (3 times), Hakata Daimaru store (2 times). 2008 Built and fired a very small mobile cellar kiln that fits on a minitruck. 2013 Traveled to France to make cellar kiln, exhibited and lectured at the National Museum of Ceramics. 2014 Traveled across the U.S. for kiln firing, group exhibition at Ura-senke school (more…)

Mori Kazuhiko 森和彦

1969-malebizen pottery1969 Born in Ibe, Bizen City, as the son of Mori Tozan.1992 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture. 1994 Began to work under his father, Mori Tozan.1999 Built an anagama kiln.2002 Solo exhibition at Utsuwa-ya Hiten, Tokyo.2003 Parent and Child Exhibition at Tokeido Store, Kurashiki. Since then, held annually until 2018.2006 Solo exhibition at Gallery Aoyama, Tokyo. Collaboration Poem 2006 at Tenjinyama Plaza, Okayama.2007 Solo exhibition at Gallery Hekien, Okayama.2009 Solo exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya (since ’11, ’13, ’15, ’18).2010 Two-person exhibition with Fujiwara Yasushi at Gallery Hekien, Okayama. Since then, held every other year.2011 Traveled to (more…)

Mori Iroku 4th 四代 森伊呂久

1963-malebanko potteryIroku IV is a master kyusu maker who inherited the “Iroku” name and is a traditional craftsman representing Yokkaichi Banko ware. He studied under Iroku III and Yamada Kosaku, and as the successor of Iroku III (his father is deceased), he has been making pottery for 35 years, making full use of unique techniques such as the diamond cut and chrysanthemum carving patterns of his predecessor, and devoting himself to pottery making. 1981 Graduated from Mie Prefectural Yokkaichi Technical High School, Department of Ceramics. 1982 Graduated from Gifu Prefectural Tajimi Technical High School, major course 1977 – 86 Continuously (more…)

Murasawa Jun 村澤享

1979-malemashiko potteryBorn in 1979, Mashiko-cho, Haga-gun, Tochigi Prefecture. Murasawa is the 5th generation of famous pottery brand, “Murasawa Toen”, which was first founded in 1905. There is an anticipation in the community for him to be the next young leader of Mashiko pottery, and he has received many awards in Tochigi Pref., Japan. His award-winning pottery pieces are displayed at his pottery shop in Mashiko-cho. Murasawa Toen’s climbing kilns, which is one of the biggest in the city, crumbled down because of the 3.11 Northern Japan earthquake in 2011. However, it has recently been reconstructed by Murasawa and kiln specialists, (more…)

Mizuno Tomoro 水野智路

1985-maleHe is a third generation potter who has inherited the traditional ceramic technique of “nerikomi (marbled ware)” from his grandfather, Mizuno Sokaku, and his father, Mizuno Norio.Tomoro uses the Internet to share his “neriage” with the world through his blog, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. 2008 Graduated from Nagoya University of Art and Design (now Nagoya Zokei University). Started pottery making. 2009 He won the Excellence Award at the 3rd “To-no-akari-michi (Ceramic Light Path)”. 2010 He held a two-person exhibition of Mizuno Norio and Tomoro (father and son). 2013 He was selected for the first Seto-Toshiro Triennial. The Aichi Triennale (more…)