Japanese potters

Tokuda Yasokichi 2nd 二代 徳田八十吉

1907-1997malekutani porcelainHe was adopted by Tokuda Yasokichi I in 1923, and studied color painting under his father-in-law, as well as under Tomimoto Kenkichi and Tosen Adachi in Kanazawa. He presented his works at various craft exhibitions such as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Craft Exhibition from a young age. His works were selected in various craft exhibitions. After the war, he exhibited his works at the Japan Art exhibition from the 1st exhibition in 1946. His works were selected in 1952, and won the Hokuto Award in 1954. He was active as Tokuda Yasokichi, and in 1956 he succeeded (more…)

Kinkodo 欽古堂

1765-1837maleHis real name is Toki Kamesuke. Originally he was a clay figurine maker who sold his works on the Fushimi Kaido-road, but later he studied under Okuda Eisen and turned to pottery.He excelled in celadon, dyeing, and copying cochin ware. It is said that he was also invited to the celadon kiln in Settsu Sanda to teach celadon techniques.He is also known as the potter who invented the arabesque openwork incense burner. (more…)

Tenryu Sekisen 天竜石仙

1922-2003maleReal name is Akira. He finished his studies at the Kyoto City Ceramic Research Institute and the Art in 1941. He learned pottery from his father, Miwa Sekijun, and succeeded Shinshu Iida’s garden ware and Tenryukyo ware as a potter in 1950. Subsequently, he began to make small bonsai pots at the request of bonsai enthusiast Sakai Tadanari, which prompted him to produce more pots that are still highly popular with enthusiasts. He mainly focuses on producing yakishime ware (high-fired unglazed ceramics). (more…)

Tezuka Shodo 手塚祥堂

1934-2017maleReal name is Hisashi. His father was the first Gyokudo. Took part in the Seitokai chaired by Kusube Yaichi in 1959, but left the association after that. After exhibiting for the first time at Kyoten (Kyoto Exhibition), he has been presenting his works at the Nitten Exhibition and Sankikai in addition to the Kyoto Exhibition. Since 1970, he has been especially devoting himself to exhibiting at Sankikai, and has received numerous awards such as the Nikkei Inc. Award, Minister of Education Honorable Mention, Branch Exhibition Kyoto Prefecture Governor’s Award, Kyoto City Mayor’s Award, Yomiuri Television Award, and the 1,200th Anniversary (more…)

Tera Toshiro 寺利郎

1916-1989malekutani porcelainBorn in a Kutani ware potter family, he studied under his father and grandfather.He has won awards at the Japan-Soviet Exhibition, the New Crafts Exhibition, and the Contemporary Japanese Arts and Crafts Exhibition.He specializes in drawing and overglazing. In addition, he makes sencha tea ware, vases, plates, etc. (more…)

Deguchi Hisae 出口尚江

1915-1977femaleShe was born as the fifth daughter of Onisaburo Deguchi and Sumi, and started making pottery at the Kamei kiln while conducting Omoto’s missionary activities. At that time, she received guidance from Ishiguro Munemaro and Kaneshige Sozan, who were visiting the kiln, deepening their friendship.She has produced a wide range of products such as Sanzai ware, white porcelain ware, and Karatsu ware. (more…)

Tezuka Sekiun 手塚石雲

1942-maleHis real name is Mitsuru. After learning pottery from Kyo ware master craftsman Tezuka Gyokudo, who is his father, he built the Kajuji kiln in the Yamashina Kiyomizu ware complex in 1972. Since becoming independent, he has exhibited his works at department store solo exhibitions nationwide, mainly in Kyoto Takashimaya.In 2001, the name of the kiln was changed to Hanacho Kiln by Takada Myoho, the director of Daitokuji Temple.He mainly produces tea bowls, water jugs, and all kinds of tea pots in Ninsei and Annam. (more…)

Terauchi Shinji 寺内信二

1962-malearita porcelainTerauchi Shinji, the first generation Arita porcelain maker, was born as the fourth generation of Riso Kobo (later renamed Riso Kiln), which was opened in the Meiji era at the site of the former residence of Arita porcelain potter Ri Sampei. After graduating from college in 1988, he joined Riso kiln to begin pottery-making. He is currently the representative of the same kiln. He is especially known for reproducing early Imari ware as well as old Imari ware. He also produces cooking vessels, sake vessels, and announces new works mainly at solo exhibitions and group stores. (more…)

Deguchi Onisaburo 出口王仁三郎

1871-1948maleBorn in Kameoka, Kyoto Prefecture. He was called a child prodigy from an early age, and had a peculiar psychic ability. Following an oracle, he became a subordinate of the founder of the Omoto religion, Nao Deguchi in Ayabe, in the northern part of Kyoto prefecture, and together taught as leaders to salvation. Subsequently, he became the second teacher. Married Sumiko (the youngest child), and worked hard to further develop the Omoto religion as a psychic.In addition, he left behind a huge number of works of art, such as writing, calligraphy, pottery, poetry and songs, which he independently studied, claiming (more…)

Deguchi Naohi 出口直日

1902-1990femaleShe was born as the eldest daughter of Deguchi Onisaburo, the religious leader and founder of Omoto religion, and Sumiko, the foundress. In 1952, she was appointed the third religious leader.She had been interested in Japanese literature since her childhood and excelled in various fields, mainly focusing on pottery.Her pottery works include Ishiguro Munemaro, which has long been a living national treasure, and Motoyama Kinju, a Bizen ware. (more…)

Tsujimura Yui 辻村唯

1975-maleBorn in Nara Prefecture as the eldest son of the popular potter Tsujimura Shiro, he started pottery in earnest after graduating from high school.In 2002, he built a semi-underground cellar kiln and developed Sanage-style works. He held a solo exhibition at Hankyu Umeda Main Department Store the following year. (more…)

Tsukatani Chikken 塚谷竹軒

1826-1893malekutani porcelainFrom the latter half of the Edo period to the Meiji era, he was a Kutani ware potter. Kutani ware was booming under the invitation of Eiraku Wazen. However, the Daishoji clan, which had been the protector of Kutani ware, disappeared with the abolition of feudal Japan, making it difficult for the pottery industry to maintain its operations. Tsukatani Asa (Chikken), a former samurai of the Daishoji clan, protected the main Kutani kiln after Wazen’s departure.He focused on painting in blue as opposed to red, which was the distinctive style of Miyamotoya kiln at that time. (more…)

Tsuchitani Zuiko 土谷瑞光

1867-1918malekyo potteryBorn as the second son of Kiyomizu Shichibei, the second most-prominent potter in Kyoto, he started making pottery in Gojozaka. After that, in 1926 (during the time of Zuiko Kikujiro II (1898-1978)) he moved the kiln from Gojozaka to Imakumano Hiyoshicho (current address), which has been inherited to the 3rd generation Zuiko Minoru (1928-present) and the current head of the 4th generation Zuiko Toru (1959-present).Certified as a Kyo ware / Kiyomizu ware traditional craftsman in 1977 (3rd Zuiko), 1989 Kinki International Trade Bureau Director’s Award (3rd Zuiko)Inherits traditional techniques as a modern tableware kiln for Kiyomizu ware. (more…)

Tsujino Kyoho 辻野京豊

1927-?kyo potteryOperates Tsujino Ceramics Factory, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto.Born into Kyo ware, and studied under Uno Soyo in October 1945 after the war.Studied sculpture and glazing, and inherited their family’s business of making vases, plates and figurines. (more…)

Tsujimura Shiro 辻村史朗

1947-maleAlthough he originally wanted to be a Western painter, he turned to ceramics in 1969, held his first solo exhibition in Nara Mima in 1977, in Nihonbashi, Tokyo in 1983 (held nine times every other year), and in Nagoya Maruei in 1984. He also held a solo exhibition (held 8 times every other year), at Osaka Hankyu Department Store (held 7 times every other year) in 1985, an overseas solo exhibition at Frankfurt Japan Art in Germany in 1993, and a solo exhibition in West Devon, England in the same year. After building his kiln, he continued to actively present (more…)

Tsuuji Azan 通次阿山

1938-malekyo potteryHe was taught Japanese painting by Ikeda Michio and pottery by his father Kansai, leading to developing delicately-painted Kyo ware tea utensils.Since his first solo exhibition at the Tanko Center Tokyo branch gallery in 1981, his works have been presented mainly at department stores and galleries in Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo, Yokohama, Hiroshima and Osaka. (more…)

Tsukinowa Yusen 月之輪涌泉

1908-?maleBorn in a potter’s family from the time of his grandfather, he initially aspired to become a Japanese-style painter. After graduating from school, he worked as a painter at the Kyoto Kiyomizu ware studio to improve his art skills. Later, due to financial needs, he changed his profession from ceramic painting to pottery, and began to study under Ishiguro Munemaro.During the war, he was forced to rigorous labor at a military-controlled ceramic factory in Hokkaido, which gave him a long-term illness. From around 1961, he started making pots for planting his own bonsai, but he quickly became popular when other (more…)

Tsujii Harima 辻井播磨

Mid-Edo periodFrom Yamashiro Province (Kyoto Prefecture). According to ES, and Morse’s “Nihon-tokji-mokuroku (Japanese Pottery Catalog)” the stamp was originally only “Harima,” and “Tsujii Harima” was a potter who inherited his skills afterwards. Meanwhile, according to the “Ko-to-isetsu (Consideration of Pottery)”, “Harima” is a pseudonym of “Tsujii Harima,” who is said to be a potter who lived around the 18th century as a clay stove master. (more…)

Yamamoto Seinen 山本正年

1913-1986Born in Hokkaido. After studying at Kyoto Ceramics Test and training, he built a kiln in Chiba prefecture in 1948. Nitten special selection, judges, council. Director of the Kofukai collective. Prefectural Arts Society standing director. Known for use of speckled glaze and tenmoku dark glaze. (more…)

Yamada Tetsu 山田喆

1956-1971maleBorn in Niigata prefecture. First trained in Gifu, then moved to Jagatani, Kyoto to make pottery. Interacted with Ishiguro Munemaro. After a literary exhibition and a national exhibition, he established the Shinshokai collective in 1947. Art selection. (more…)