Japanese potters

Hon’ami Koetsu 本阿弥光悦

1558-1637malekyo potteryBorn in Kyoto, Honami Koetsu was a multi-disciplinary artist of many faces: a craftsman, calligrapher, painter, publisher, gardener, and maker of Noh masks. Known as the da Vinci of Japan, he had an excellent sense of design and left numerous masterpieces in all artistic genres. In the world of calligraphy, Honami is considered to be one of the three great calligraphers of the Kanei era alongside Nobutada Konoe and Shokado Shojo. He is the founder of the Koetsu style. The Honami family was a high-ranking family of leading businessmen. The family had been well-known as sword connoisseurs since the (more…)

Kuroda Kosaburo 黒田耕三郎

1932-malebanko potterySecond generation head of the Kouraku kiln, inherited from his father Tanjiro who founded the kiln in 1912. Selected first for the Nitten Timeless Industry Exhibition in 1962, with many other selections following. Recipient, member and judge of the Nikkei Exhibition Member Award and Special Award. Recipient of the Nihon University College of Art Award, Yomiuri Newspaper Award, Japan Flower Arrangement Award, Asahi Ceramics Shiga Governor’s Award, Prefectural Culture Honorable Mention, others. Member of the steering committee for the Shiga Exhibition. Judge for Mie Prefecture Exhibition and City Exhibition. Using the traditional crystal glaze of the Kouraku kiln, produced (more…)

Yoshino Toshimichi 芳野俊通

1940-maleBorn in a sweetfish restaurant along the Ibo River and became familiar with tableware. At first, he aspired to be a chef. Trained as a tea ceremony chef at Kobe Nunobiki and as a chef at Kitcho in Namba, Osaka. Attracted by Kitaoji Rosanjin, he began to make pottery. Studied pottery under Kimura Sotoku and Miyashita Zenji. In 1975, built a climbing kiln at the foot of a mountain near the ruins of an old Edo-period kiln. Awarded the Mayor’s Prize at the Tatsuno City Exhibition. Selected at the Hyogo Prefectural Exhibition. Mainly works with yakishime. (more…)

Yamada Kenji 山田健次

Showa period-maleseto potteryBorn in Shiojiri, Nagano. Studied under Kato Shuntei. Exhibited his work at the annual Kanae-gama Society pottery exhibition. Awarded Excellence Prize at Seto City Exhibition. Selected for Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition. (more…)

Yamazaki Masao 山崎正男

Showa period-maleseto potteryBorn in Asakusa, Tokyo. Studied pottery under Kato Shuntei. Selected for Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition. Exhibition at Ginza Matsuzakaya Department Store, Nagoya Meitetsu Department Store, and Exhibition of Kanae-gama at Gifu Takashimaya Department Store. Member of Seto Kogei Association. Seto Kogei-kai Exhibition at Nagoya Mitsukoshi Department Store. (more…)

Murayama Ikko 村山一壺

1905-1992From around 1930, while painting Western-style pictures, Ikko taught himself to make pottery. In 1938, Ikko revived Isshoji ware, which had been abandoned during the Meiji period, and in 1939, Ikko opened Mumyoan Pottery studio for Kobuccho ware in Hitoyoshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Mainly ash glaze, iron glaze and cinnabar. (more…)

Miyazawa Akira 宮澤章

1950-maleFrom Akita Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Education at Akita University. After working at Asahi Ceramics in Owariasahi, went to Mashiko in 1974 and studied under Susukida Koji. Became independent in 1976. Held private exhibitions at Niwa Gallery in Kanda, Tokyo, Ado in Utsunomiya, and other venues. Works focus on Hai-yu ash glaze. (more…)

Maruta Shuichi 丸田修一

1951-malehoshino potteryichinose potteryBorn in Kuromuta, Takeo, Saga prefecture. Trained in Ukiha, Fukuoka prefecture, making Ichinose-ware and at a kiln in Bizen, Okayama prefecture. Built a noborigama climbing kiln in Jugomori, Yame-gun, and opened another Hoshino-ware kiln. Recipient of the Fukuoka Asahi Newspaper Award, Kurume City Somi Exhibition Honorable Mention Award, other honors. Selected for Kyushu Yamaguchi Exhibition, Seibu Crafts Exhibition, Kyushu New Crafts Exhibition, Japanese Folk Art Exhibition, West Japan Ceramics Exhibition, Ichimizukai Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Held solo exhibitions at Yame Gallery Hanazono, Kurume Iwataya, others. Primarily focused on cedar ash glaze, shisode and kushime. (more…)

Horino Shoji 堀野証嗣

1949-malebanko potteryBorn in Yokkaichi city, Mie. Studied under Tsuji Koten and Shimizu Hiroshi. Became the youngest winner of the Mie Prefectural Exhibition Governor Award in 1968. Accepted in the Asahi Ceramic Arts Exhibition, Koufukai Exhibition, Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition, Chunichi International Exhibition, Tokai Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. Held exhibitions at Nagoya Kashiwasanya, Kobe Sogo, Himeji Yamatoyashiki, and Hamamatsu Seibu. (more…)

Hoshino Toshihisa 堀野利久

1955-maleBorn in Kyoto. Graduated from the Naniwa Junior College, and became an assistant for the Design Arts department in the same school. Accepted in the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition, Nihon Shinkogei Exhibition, and more. Formed a sculptor group, TO in 1983. Holds a TO Projects Exhibition annually. Held solo exhibitions at Osaka G and more. Primarily creates objet d’art. 京都市上京区日暮通中立売下ル須浜地町244 (more…)

Horikoshi Miki 堀越美紀

1950-femalemashiko potteryBorn in Tokyo. Graduated from the Joshibi Junior College of Art and Design. Became an apprentice under her father, Horikoshi Einosuke and began to pursue creating ceramics. Accepted in the Tochigi Prefectural Exhibition, Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, New Work Exhibition, and the Daisan Bunmei Art Exhibition. Various overseas inspections. Created a Peace Memorial monument in 1984 by the request from the Republic of Panama. Held solo exhibitions at Nagoya Matsuzakaya, Hachioji Daimaru, Matsudo Urban G, Ginza Mitsukoshi, Matsuzakaya, and more. Primarily works with iron painting and ash glaze. (more…)

Horie Seiko 堀江青光

?-2014kutani porcelainInherits the Kutani-ware Kashu Seijogama kiln as the pottery producer from generation to generation. Uses the beauty of Kokutani, Yoshidaya, old Akae styles, and blends in modern senses of design in his work. (more…)

Horikawa Kyohei 堀川恭平

1925-malebizen potteryPen name is Nanzan. Born in Okayama city. Graduated from the former Okayama Second Secondary School. After working for the Obayashi Corporation, managed a construction company. Became an apprentice to Tomi-ware’s Kimura Kisan. Later moved to Bizen-ware due to his connection with Suzuki Osai. Became independent in 1972. (more…)

Horie Hideaki 堀江英城

1949-malebizen potteryBorn in Bizen. Graduated the Kibikogen Gakuen. Became an apprentice to his father, Shozan, and began creating pottery from 1970. Accepted for the first time in 1971 for Okayama Prefectural Exhibition. Continued to be accepted in the Traditional Art Crafts Chugoku Branch Exhibition and Chunichi International Ceramic Arts Exhibition. In attempting a higher temperature of firing, creates a longer and narrower kiln to the ascending kiln, called the Teppogama in 1980. Mostly uses clay that emphasizes sheen to make Himozukuri. Held solo exhibitions at Takamatsu, Kobe Mitsukoshi, Ikebukuro Seibu, and more. (more…)

Horie Shouzan 堀江祥山

1923-malebizen potteryBorn in Katsutacho, Okayama. Studied handicrafts in Kourakuen in 1937. Returned after war, completing military service. Accepted and awarded in the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and the Japan Ceramic Arts Exhibition. Submitted to the Bizen One Thousand Year Exhibition, and the Bizen’s Celebrated Ceramic Exhibition. Held solo exhibitions at Tokyo Daimaru and more. Qualified as a Traditional Craftsman in 1983. Former chairman of the Toushinkai. Director of the Bizen Touyukai. (more…)

Horii Toshiaki 堀井俊昭

1920-malebanko potteryArt name is Toshimine. Became an apprentice to his father, Kyozan at only 16 years old, and has been devoted to making teapots. Is a first class certified technician of the potter’s wheel. (more…)

Hori Ichiro 堀一郎

1952-maleshino potteryBorn in a family in the local pottery manufacturing industry. Graduated from the Tajimi Technical Highschool department of Design. Studied under Kato Kozo for two years. Later opened the Ichigama and began producing pottery. Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition Governor Award and more. Accepted in the Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Tokai Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and Gifu Prefectural Exhibition. Focusing on Shino-ware, works with ash-covered natural glaze, iron painting, and Yakishime styles. (more…)

Hobo Shigenori 保母重徳

1958-maleBorn in GIfu prefecture. Graduated the Tama Art University Painting department in 1981. In 1983, completed the Graduate School of Fine Arts in Tama Art University majoring in Painting. Later, he returned to his hometown and began producing ceramics. Participated in various group exhibitions at the Ginza Lumine Gallery, Tokyo American Club and more. Primarily works with solid modeling. (more…)

Honiwa Rakunyu 2nd 二代 保庭楽入

1929-shigaraki potteryBorn in Nagano prefecture. Graduated Shinshu University. Became an apprentice to Rakunyu the First, and created ceramics with Kocchugama kiln. Succeeded as Rakunyu the Second in 1963. Various overseas inspections. Independent. Held solo exhibitions at Kobe, Osaka Sogo, Takamatsu Mitsukoshi, and more. Primarily works with traditional Shigaraki-ware tea bowls. (more…)

Hosono Toshio 細野利夫

1953-malemunyoi potteryBorn in Hatano, Sado County, Niigata Prefecture1976 Graduated from university (Faculty of Economics)1976 Trained at Niigata Industrial Technology Centre (ceramics)1976 Glaze research at the Seto Branch of the Nagoya Industrial         Technology Research Institute, Ministry of International Trade and Industry1979 Research on ceramics in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture1980 Returned to Sado and entered the family business, Gyokudo Kiln.1981 Selected for the 36th Niigata Prefectural Exhibition.         Selected for the 10th Art Exhibition         Group exhibition at the Chiba Shopping Centre Gallery.1982 Selected for the 37th Niigata Prefectural Exhibition         Selected, 11th Art (more…)