Japanese potters

Shikatani Toshifumi 鹿谷敏文

1974-maleBorn in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture1993 Studied under Nakamura Seiroku, the holder of Saga Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Asset (white porcelain)2001 Certified as a second-class ceramics technician by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare2005 Certified as a first-class ceramics technician by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare2006 Became a vocational training instructor (ceramics department)2009 Returned to Fukuoka and started his own business. Opened his own kiln. Awards2010 Fukuoka City Art Exhibition, Fukuoka, JapanWest Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Finalist, Fukuoka Prefecture Governor’s PrizeFinalist, Fukuoka Prefecture Art Exhibition, Asahi Newspaper Award2011 Fukuoka City Art Exhibition, Finalist, Encouragement Prize2013 Fukuoka City (more…)

Yoneda Kazu 米田和

1949-femalekutani porcelain 1991 Selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and 28 times since2011 Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and the International Ceramics Exhibition Mino2015 62nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, purchased by the Imperial Household AgencyWork was exhibited in Nicolai Bergman’s “Traditions and Flowers”.2016 Juror, Japan Kogei Association, Ceramic Division Exhibition2018 “Yoneda Kaz Exhibition” at Midorigaoka Museum of Art, Ikoma2020 Juror, Exhibition of the Ceramic Division of the Japan Kogei Association2021 Publication of “Yoneda Kazu’s Works” (Zelkova Namiki, Midori-no-Mori Foundation)2022 Participated in “The Power of Traditional Crafts: Ceramics for the Future” (more…)

Yamaguchi Takeshi 山口剛

1951-male Born in Hamamatsu City1975 Graduated from Waseda University1977 Started pottery under Makino Shinzo1978 Studied under Onimaru Setsuzan of Takatori Pottery, Fukuoka1985 Opened Enshu Tenryu Ware Go Kiln in Tenryu City (now Tenryu Ward, Hamamatsu City)1987 Selected for the 9th Japan Ceramic Art ExhibitionSelected for the 18th Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition1988 Selected for the 19th Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition1989 Selected for the 20th Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition1990 Selected for the 9th Fugaku Cultural Award Exhibition2002 Part-time lecturer at Shizuoka University of Art and Culture (~’22)2005 Director, Hamamatsu Art Association2008 Selected for many prizes at the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition (~’22)2009 (more…)

Shiina Isamu 椎名勇

1968-male1999 Built a kiln in Nasu Town, Tochigi Prefecture2008 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition2010, 2012, 2013 Part-time lecturer at Tohoku University of Art & Design2010 Selected for the 50th East Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition2011 Selected, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition2013: Awarded a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association (more…)

Kurihara Kei 栗原慶

1968-male Ceramic artist Kei Kurihara (resident in Tokushima Prefecture) entered the world of ceramics when he entered the Tokyo University of the Arts. While gaining experience in metalwork, lacquer, dyeing and weaving and other craft fields, he was drawn to ceramics, which he felt most comfortable with, and immersed himself in its production. His style has changed through various techniques to the current blue-and-white porcelain style formed by pale blue transparent colours and neat forms. Over the years, he has come to realize that his works have significance as a medium for connecting with people, in addition to their practical (more…)

Kaneshige Riuemon 金重利右衛門

mid edo period –bizen pottery Riemon Kanashige, who died in 1767, was appointed as the first Bizen ware artisan of the Kanashige family by the feudal lord of Okayama in 1729. He was the first Bizen ware master craftsman of the Kanashige family, and produced many fine pieces for the shogunate and as gifts for the feudal lords.His eldest son, Kanashige Risaburo, who died in 1927, lamented the decline of Bizen Pottery during the Meiji period and sought new opportunities for Bizen Pottery. Anticipating the demand for clay pipes as construction materials for railroads, he invited craftsmen from Tokoname, Aichi (more…)

Nagae Sokichi 9th 九代 長江惣吉

1963-maleBorn in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, to a family that was a potter in the Edo period and a potter of Japanese tableware since the Meiji period, he began to reproduce yohen (pottery that changes color when fired) in 1995, following the research of his father, Nagae Sokichi VIII. In 1995, he took over the research of his father, Nagae Sokichi VIII, and started to reproduce Yohhen ware. He also published a paper on “Research on the reproduction of Yohhen’s glaze” at the International Conference of Science and Technology of Ceramics and Porcelain, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and others. In addition (more…)

Yokoishi Kasuke 横石嘉助

1891-1983malemikawauchi porcelaiBorn in Mikawachi1904 Started pottery making at the age of 13, studied under Tomimoto Kenkichi at the age of 28.From 1922 to 1922, he worked in the studio of Sakaida Kakiemon for about 10 years, and then built a kiln in Motohara-machi. After the war, he built a kiln in his present location in Mikawachi and began researching sanzai (Three-color glaze) techniques. (more…)

Sakai Shiyo 酒井紫羊

1979-female Born in Gifu City2001 Graduated from Gifu University, Faculty of Education, Art Education2003 Began ceramics at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and Music2005 Created the monument “Way of the Cross” at Tajimi Monastery2007 Graduated from Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and MusicReceived Kuwabara Award for graduation work.Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition, Encouragement Prize, Gifu Takashimaya Prize.2008 Awarded Nagoya City Board of Education Prize, Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition2009 Completed graduate studies at Aichi Prefectural University of Fine Arts and MusicSelected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition (and twice since)2010 Selected, Women’s Ceramic Art Exhibition2011 Selected, (more…)

Mochizuki Shu 望月集

1960-male Born in Tokyo, Japan1984 Graduated from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Department of Crafts, majoring in ceramicsEstablished IKKAN Ceramic Studio in Nakano, Tokyo.1985 Selected for the Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Crafts (now the East Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition)1986 M.F.A. in Ceramics, Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music1988 Part-time lecturer at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music1988 Part-time lecturer at the Ceramics Laboratory, Tokyo University of the Arts (~’93)1990 Selected, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition1994 Became independent and started his own pottery studio, IKKAN1995 Became a regular member of the Japan Kogei (more…)

Takigawa Ichiraku 瀧川一楽

1815-1888male Ichiraku is a descendant of Takigawa Kazumasu, a general of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) who followed Oda Nobunaga and contributed to the unification of Japan. The Takigawa family was a family that held important positions in the Owari domain for generations.Ichiraku was a warrior of the Owari domain with a fief of 3063 koku (stipend 459450 kg of rice).He retired in 1869 and changed his name to Ichiraku. He became a tea master of the Omote-senke tea ceremony school. (more…)

Morimoto Yoshinobu 森本良信

1976-malebizen potteryBorn in Okayama Prefecture1996 Completed Bizen Ceramic Art Center2000 Built a small kiln and anagama kiln in Akaiwa City, Japan.2004 Started to show his works at solo exhibitions.2007 Moved to Ushimado Town, Setouchi City, and built anagama kiln.2012 Moved to Kanpu, Ushimado Town, and built anagama kiln. (more…)

Morishita Munenori 森下宗則

1954-maletokoname potteryBorn in Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, JapanEntered Tokoname Municipal High School, Ordinary Course.1973 Started making ceramics at home.1980 Studied under Takeda Koyo.Won many awards and prizes, including the highest prize at the Chosaburo Pottery Exhibition.Won prizes at the Japan Sencha Craft Exhibition twice, and was selected 12 times.Awarded the Grand Prix (Chairman’s Prize) at the 32nd International Artists’ Exhibition.He has held 61 solo exhibitions by January, 2012. (more…)

Tamura Unkei 2nd 二代 田村雲渓

1951-maletada pottery Unkeizan-gama Pottery is a revival of Tada ware, which was a domain kiln of the Iwakuni Domain that ceased to exist in the Kan’ei era (1600-1644).Since Tada ware was often presented to the shogunate, Unkei’s kiln also produces sake cups and tea bowls for everyday use, although most of the pieces are tea ceremony utensils and flower vases. 1954 Born in Yamaguchi Prefecture1975 Graduated from Hiroshima Merchant Marine Technical College. Graduated from Hiroshima Merchant Marine Technical College.1977 Studied under Unkei I.1982 Studied sculpture at the kiln of Andong Go, a Korean Living National Treasure.1985 Awarded the Minister of (more…)

Kato Kagetsugu 加藤景次

early edo periodmaleseto pottery A potter from Owari (Aichi Prefecture). He is said to have been active during the Keicho period (1596-1615). He is also known as Hachiemon. From excavations at the Yuemon kiln in the late Edo period, many bowls with the seal of “Kagetsugu” in small oval have been excavated. (more…)

Nakazato Mouemon 十五代 中里茂右衛門

1943-malemikawauchi porcelain Born in Arita, Saga PrefectureBorn as the second son of Nakazato Mouemon, the 14th head of “Mouemon Kiln”, a famous Hirado pottery family.After graduating from junior high school, he studied under his father’s predecessor and began to pursue a full-fledged career as a ceramic artist.Since then, he has devoted himself to pottery as a potter. He did not seek to exhibit his works at public exhibitions, and his works are now highly regarded by connoisseurs as “fantastic works”.1972 Succeeded the name of his predecessor and became the 15th Shigeemon Nakazato.1991 Dedicated a work to Meiji Shrine.1995 Dedicated a (more…)

Irie Mitoshi 入江光人司

1939-malebizen potteryIrie Mitoshi was born in Ibe, Bizen, in 1939 as the eldest son of craftsman Irie Kenji. He is a ceramist specialising in craftwork, which is becoming rare in Bizen. He specialises in small objects such as hohin (teapot) and incense burners. He is not a well-known artist for several reasons, such as his limited output and lack of membership of large associations, but he is well known to lovers of craftwork. (more…)

Ogawa Tokusai 小川得斎

1785－1865maleshigaraki potteryA potter of the late Edo period. Produced Shigaraki ware in his hometown of Shigaraki, Omi (Shiga Prefecture) during the Bunka-Bunsei period (1804-30). In 1830, he moved to Ueno in Iga (Mie Prefecture) and made copies of old Iga pottery. (more…)

Tamai Rakuzan 3rd 三代 玉井楽山

1942-1990rakuzan pottery Tamai Rakusan III was born in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture in 1924 and graduated from the Kyoto School of Arts and Crafts.After graduation, he studied under Ito Suiko and honed his skills in Kyoto.He later succeeded to the third generation of Rakusan pottery and took the name Tamai Rakusan. He has exhibited his work at exhibitions such as the Nitten, where it was selected for awards.At present, the kiln is closed due to a lack of successors. (more…)

Ishida Kazuya 石田和也

1986-malebizen potteryBorn in Bizen city, Okayama 2006　 Graduated from Bizen Pottery Centre 2007　 Graduated from Kyoto Pottery Technical Centre 2007-2010 Studied under Living National Treasure Isezaki Jun 2011　 Worked at Kigbeare Pottery (Devon, UK) 2012　 Employed at Whichford Pottery (Cotswold, UK) 2013　 Moved back to Bizen in Japan to build own studio 2015　 London Hatfield Ceramic Show 2015　 Project leader for Oxford Anagama Project 2015　 Built Anagama Anagama kiln at Oxford University2015-2018　Artist Residency at Oxford University 2016-2018　Leading Bizen × Whichford project 2017　 Ceramic Art London 2016　 Artist Residency at Leach Pottery 2018　 UAL: Utsuwautsushi symposium 2018　 Organised Ceramic Art Bizen (more…)