Japanese potters

Sakazume Katsuyuki 坂爪勝幸

1947-maleBorn in Murakami, Niigata. Met Nagami Kojin while at university and set his sights on becoming a ceramic artist. Trained in the ceramic areas of Kyushu and learnt the basics. Influenced by Nakazato Takashi’s firing. In 1974, he conducted research on old kilns under Ji Soon Tak in Korea and learnt techniques for building snake kilns and climbing kilns. Built Miwa Kyusetsu’s climbing kiln in Hagi and Kikuchi Katsutaro’s climbing kiln in Hokkaido. Built a kiln of Miwa Ryusaku and engaged in production activities. In 1979, he was appointed by the Japan Foundation as a visiting professor at the New (more…)

Ishimoto Fujio 石本藤雄

1941-male Born in Tobe-cho, Iyo-gun, Ehime Prefecture1960 Entered the Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. Majored in graphic design.1970 After traveling around the world, moved to Finland and took a job at Dissenbure, an affiliate company of Marimekko.1974: Hired as a textile designer for Marimekko and created many designs.1989 Started making ceramics as a visiting artist in the art department of “Arabia” and continued to make ceramics1994 Awarded the Kai Frank Prize2006 Retired from Marimekko2010 Received the Pro Finlandia Medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland2011 Awarded the Order of the Rising (more…)

Mitsui Tamekichi 1st 初代 三ツ井為吉

1903-1958malekutani porcelainHe studied under Tokuda Hachijukichi I, an intangible cultural asset, along with Asakura Gojukichi II. Later, he studied under Kitade Tojiro, a member of the Nitten council, and was selected for many prizes at the Nitten. (more…)

Shirai Yasujiro 白井靖二郎

?-2008maleimado pottery Imado-yaki pottery was produced mainly in Asakusa Imado-area from the middle of the Edo period (1603-1867), and mainly produced roof tiles and miscellaneous daily utensils to support the daily life of Edo. On the side, they made dolls, which is said to be the origin of Imado beckoning cats (Maneki-Neko).After the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Shirai family became the sole potter. The Shirai family is the only family of Imado pottery craftsmen that has continued since the Edo period, and is a branch of the Shirai Hanshichi family. Yasujiro is the fifth generation.After Yasujiro’s death in 2008, his (more…)

Kawamura Takunori 河村拓典

1967-maleseto potteryBorn in Seto City, the eldest son of Kawamura Sekizan.Graduated from Nihon University, College of Art, Department of Sculpture, Sculpture Course.In 1992, inherited Sekizan Ryu-gama pottery studio. He has received many prizes and awards including Nitten, Japan New Crafts Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Biennale, Choza Prize Ceramic Art Exhibition, Shigaraki Ceramic Art Exhibition, Kanazawa Craft Grand Prize Competition, and Seto City Art Exhibition. He is a member of the Seto Ceramic Art Association. Member of Tokai Association of the Nihon-Shinkogei. (more…)

Matsubayashi Hosai 16th 十六代 松林豊斎

1980-maleasahi pottery The 16th Matsubayashi Hosai was born as the eldest son of the 15th Matsubayashi Hosai.His real name is Yusuke.After graduating from Doshisha University in 2003, he started working for Nippon Express Shipping Division.After leaving the company, he studied the potter’s wheel at the Kyoto Prefectural Potters Training School.Later, he apprenticed under his father.In 2015, he made ceramics at Leach Pottery in St. Ives, England.He exhibited his work and held a tea ceremony at the Guimet Museum of Oriental Art in France.In 2016, he assumed the name of 16th generation Matsubayashi Hosai.He received the “Asahi” seal from Her Imperial (more…)

Abe Shinji 阿部眞士

1959-maleKawachi, Yahatahigashi Ward, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. The workshop of “Yuko Kiln” is located in the mountains of Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. After graduating from university, Abe Masashi, now the second generation, studied under Takita Koichi in Fukushima and Tochigi, and returned to Kitakyushu at the age of 26 to study under his father, Abe Yuko, who established the kiln. After that, he took over the kiln, and he has been making pottery by switching from ceramics to porcelain, focusing on porcelain after participating in the restoration project of celadon bowls with flower patterns excavated from the Kooro ruins in (more…)

Kobashigawa Eisho 2nd 二代 小橋川永昌

1909-1978maletsuboya potteryKobashigawa Eisho was a potter born in Tsuboya ,Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture. Also known as Kobashigawa Nio II. He is considered one of the “Three Potters of Tsuboya” along with Kinjo Jiro and Arakagi Eizaburo. Eisho studied pottery under his father, Kobashigawa Nio. Eisho is known for rediscovering the local materials used for the distinctive red enamel that characterizes traditional Okinawan ceramics. (more…)

Gottfried Wagner ゴットフリード・ワグネル

1831-1892male Wagner came to Japan from Germany and was later employed by the Japanese government. He taught at the Kyoto Prefectural Medical School (now Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine), at the University of Tokyo, and at the Tokyo Vocational Institute of Technology (now Tokyo Institute of Technology). He also taught the manufacture of ceramics and glass. Based on the knowledge of chemistry he learned in Germany, he was deeply involved in the Japanese ceramic industry. His guidance of the ceramic industry in Arita pioneered the modernization of Imariyaki (Arita porcelain). At the institute in Kyoto, which lasted from 1870 to (more…)

Sodeisha 泥走社

The avant-garde ceramics group Sodeisha, which is considered to have marked the beginning of modern ceramics in Japan, was formed in 1948 by young artists in Kyoto, including Yagi Kazuo, Yamada Hikaru, and Suzuki Osamu. While respecting traditional ceramics, the core members of the Sodeisha promoted free and innovative expression that was not bound by the concept of ceramics, and pioneered a new genre of “objet d’art” pottery that was stripped of its utilitarian qualities. The pursuit of avant-garde ceramics by the artists who belonged to Sodeisha. Their activities were highly regarded overseas and created an era in the long (more…)

Egami Shin 江上晋

1982-maleBorn in Kagami-cho, Yatsushiro-gun, KumamotoAfter graduating from Saga Ceramic College, began working with his father2007 Awarded the Traditional Crafts Museum Prize at the Kumamoto Prefecture Art Association Exhibition, and the Association Prize at the same exhibition in 20082009 Honorable Mention, Western Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Kumamoto Prefecture, Honorable Mention, Kumamoto Prefecture Art Association Exhibition, 2nd placeRecommended as a member of the association.2010 Selected for the Seibu Kogei Exhibition. (more…)

Uwataki Koichi 上瀧浩一

1968-maelBorn as the eldest son of Uwataki Katsuji in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture1988 Graduated from Toyo Institute of Art and DesignGraduated from Toyo Institute of Art and DesignDeparted for Arita Town, Saga Prefecture for an apprenticeship1993 Returned to his hometown from Arita to study under his father Katsuji1996 First prize at Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition1997 Selected for the first time at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition2004 Solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Takashimaya Department Store2005 Full member of Japan Kogei Association2009 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, purchased by the Imperial Household Agency2010 KAKIDEN Gallery Solo Exhibition (more…)

Urago So 浦郷壮

1981-maleBorn in Takeo City2004 Graduated from the Faculty of Art, Kyushu Sangyo University2007 Graduated from the Short-Term Pottery Wheel Course at the Prefectural Arita Ceramic College2008 Presided over the Takeo Hot Springs New Annex workshop for hands-on pottery making.2012 Passed the National Certification Test for the First Class Technician of the Hand Pottery Wheel2015 Awarded the Saga Prefecture Governor’s Prize at the Saga Prefecture Art ExhibitionReceived the Grand Prize at the Tabe Art Museum Award “Formative Exhibition of Tea Ceremony” in 20162009 Selected for the first time at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (more…)

Uraguchi Masayuki 浦口雅行

1964-maleBorn in Tokyo, Japan1987 Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Ceramics1989 Completed the graduate school of the same university, Miura Koheiji Laboratory1990 Selected, NittenSelected, International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan2002 Awarded a special prize at the Ibaraki Prefecture Art Festival Art Exhibition2004 Purchased by the New Orleans Museum of Art, U.S.A.2005 Selected, Kikuchi Biennale, Japan2010 6th Contemporary Ibaraki Artists Art Exhibition. Exhibited at the 10th Anniversary Exhibition of the Ceramic Museum of Ibaraki.2014 Exhibited at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Crafts Gallery (more…)

Umemoto Kosei 梅本孝征

1967-maleseto potteryBorn in Nakano-ku, Tokyo1986 Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, Department of Crafts1988 Completed Graduate School of Ceramics, Tokyo University of the ArtsSelected for the Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Crafts (1989 ’92 ’93 ’01-’05)1990 Joined the studio of Fujimoto Yoshimichi (Living National Treasure)1997 Exhibited at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music Masterpieces Exhibition1999 Selected for the 3rd Hana no Sumika Grand Prize Exhibition2000 Exhibited at Kanayama Town, Yamagata Prefecture, Jar with Design of “Landscape with Cows” purchased by Kanayama Town2001 Selected, 19th Asahi Modern Craft ExhibitionSelected, World Competition of Arts and Crafts, Kanazawa, (more…)

Umezawa sachiko 梅澤幸子

1972-femaleBorn in Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture2012 Selected, 43rd Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition2012 Selected, 67th Shinko Kogei Exhibition2013 Selected, The 21st Tableware Grand PrizeSelected, 1st Ceramic Art ExhibitionSelected, 6th Contemporary Tea Ceramic ExhibitionSelected, 60th Japan Traditional Crafts ExhibitionSelected, The 7th Contemporary Tea Ceremony Ceramics Exhibition, JapanSelected, 45th Tokai Traditional Craft ExhibitionSelected, 20th Shoroku Award Tea Bowl Exhibition (more…)

Uchida Hidekazu 内田和秀

1973-maleBorn in Matsue City1996 Graduated from Kyoto University of Education, Faculty of Education, Department of Physical EducationStudied under Bizen ware artist Inari Saku in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture.2001 Teaches ceramics at Gion Kiln in Asahikawa-so, a social welfare corporation2004 Had a solo exhibition at Omote-machi Gallery in Okayama City, OkayamaBuilt a kiln in Hoyoshi-cho, Matsue CitySelected at the Prefectural Exhibition2005 Selected for the Chugoku Branch Exhibition of Japan Traditional Crafts2006 Selected for the Chugoku Branch Exhibition of Japan Traditional CraftsSelected, Chanoyu no Zokei Exhibition, Tabe Museum of Art, TokyoSolo Exhibition at Gallery Japan Kaoru, Kyoto, JapanHad a solo exhibition at (more…)

Ujike Ryuji 氏家龍次

1952-male Born in Ota-ku, Tokyo1971 Graduated from Tokyo Metropolitan Meguro High School1974 Withdrawal from the Department of Psychology, College of Letters and Science, Nihon University Entered Togei Art Institute1976 Entered Musashino Art University, Department of Crafts and Industrial Design1980 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Crafts and Industrial Design, Ceramic Studio1982 Built a kiln in Meguro-ku, Tokyo1984 Selected for the Japan Craft Exhibition (’84 ’85 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00)Selected for the Ceramics Design Competition (’84 ’85)Part-time instructor at Sugino Ceramic Studio, Sugino Gakuen (～1986)1985 Selected for the Asahi Modern Craft Exhibition (’85 ’86 ’00)1986 Selected for the International (more…)

Usami Seiji 宇佐美成治

1950-maleBorn in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan1974 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Industrial DesignWon Good Design Award 78 times and IF Design Award in Germany.2001 Special Lecturer of Industrial Design, Department of Design Information, Faculty of Art and Design, Musashino Art University2010 Retired, started ceramic art2015 Built a kiln in Utsunomiya City (more…)

Ukihashi Mihoko 浮橋美保子

?-female2005 Selected for Fukuoka Prefectural Exhibition (15-17, 18 – Asahi Newspaper Prize, 19 – Fukuoka Governor’s Prize)2007 Selected for the Women’s Ceramic Art Exhibition (08, 09, 11, 15, 21 – Naniwa Domestic Study Abroad Prize)Became a member of Fukuoka City Cultural Federation2009 Established a studio at his home in Itoshima and named it “Mikawa Kiln”.2013 Honorable Mention, Fukuoka City Art Exhibition (14, 15, 16 – Honorable Mention)Participated in the exhibition “Romantic Yanagihara Pottery of Tea Masters and Restoration” at Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art.2016 Became a member of Women’s Ceramic ArtBecame a member of Fukuoka City Art League2018 Selected for (more…)