Japanese potters

Waso Hideatsu 和宋穎篤

1948-maleBorn in Kyoto. Graduated from the Department of Physics, Kyoto University of Education. Completed coursework in the Kyoto Industrial Research Institute. Trained at the Asahi ware kiln in Uji. In 1978, he built the Eitoku kiln in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto. He was a lecturer at Kyoto Industrial Research Institute. Winner at Kyoto Exhibition, Prefectural Exhibition, Contemporary Craft Exhibition and others. Collaborator of the Contemporary Arts Association. Solo exhibition at Keio Shinjuku and Takashimaya Osaka. Work focused on Old style white Korean ceramics and Celadon. (more…)

Wakui Kayoko 涌井賀代子

1956-femalemino potteryshinjo-higashiyama potteryStudied under Kato Shuntei in Seto in 1975. Returned to Yamagata in 1977, and made pottery as successor to Shinjo Higashiyama Yaki Godai Yabin. Selected for the Nihon Dento Kogei-ten (Japan Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition) among others. (more…)

Wakimoto Teizo 脇本定三

1927-2017malehagi potteryThe son of the late Genan, an excellent craftsman in Hagi teaware. He trained under his father’s tutelate and inherited the Katsusaka kiln. Held solo exhibitions at Ginza Kuroda Toen, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, and others. His body of work is centered on Hagi clay teaware. (more…)

Wakita Munetaka 脇田宗孝

1942-maleasuka potteryGraduated from the Nara University of Education. Completed an advanced course in ceramics at Kyoto Industrial Research Institute. Instructor at Nara University of Education. Began making pottery at the Kakuyo kiln in the Takaichi district of Nara. Frequent prize-winner and participant at events such as the New Crafts Association Exhibition. Published research papers on ancient ceramic techniques. Primarily focused on flowered urns and large plates using sansai, ash glaze and black glaze. (more…)

Wakabayashi Sobie 若林聳

1946-mashiko potteryBorn in Tokyo. Graduated from Musashino Art University. Trained at the Tochigi Prefecture Ceramics Research Institute. Went independent in 1975. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Primarily focused on inlay, blue-white porcelain, and red-painted porcelain. (more…)

Wakabayashi Zenichi 若林善一

1953-malemumyoi potteryBorn in Sado. Studied under Watanabe Kunizo and Watanabe Tozo. Solo exhibition held at Sado Reifudo, other venues. Primarily focused on yohen ceramics (which change shape or color during firing). (more…)

Wakao Masahiro 若尾昌宏

1943-malemino potteryBorn in Tajimi. Graduated from Tajimi Technical High School. Worked at the Tajimi Ceramics Design Institute for nine years before going independent. Certified as a ceramics design technical instructor by the SME Guidance Center. Participant and award-winner at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, others. Primarily focused on Shino-ware, Oribe-ware, and Kizeto-ware. (more…)

Wakao Makoto 若尾誠

1959-maleBorn in Tajimi. Graduated from the design department at Tajimi Technical High School. Inherited the family business making pottery. Selected for the Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Associate member of the Japan Kogei Association. Primarily focused on celadon ceramics such as powdered celadon and rice-colored celadon. (more…)

Wakao Toshisada 若尾利貞

1933-maleshino potteryBorn in Tajimi. After graduating from junior high school, he worked at a ceramics factory while studying Shino-ware on his own. Went independent in 1970. Recipient of the Kato Kobei Award, Mino Newcomer’s Award, New Craft Award, other honors. Participant and award-winner at Chubu Art Exhibition, Gifu Prefectural General Design Exhibition, Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, others. Solo exhibitions held at Nihonbashi Takashimaya, Nagoya Matsuzakaya, Tokyo Tsubogen, other venues. Member of the Japan Kogei Association. (more…)

Wakao Kei 若尾圭

1909-1987malemino potteryReal name Keiichi. Completed his training at the Kyoto Ceramics Research Institute in 1929. Worked in Tajimi on the manufacture of oxidative flame-glazed mosaic tiles starting in 1948. Created a small tunnel kiln in 1954. After work with cockscomb red, new cinnabar red, and peacock Tenmoku glazes, he focused entirely on pottery based on his many years of glaze research and established the Kokei kiln. (more…)

Rojian Pierre 露地菴磐

1946-maleBorn in French Algeria. Dropped out of the Scientific and Medical University of Grenoble in his home country of France. Later moved to Japan where he graduated from the Ceramics Department of the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Studied under Shimaoka Tatsuzo. Went independent and built a kiln in Mashiko in 1965. (more…)

Rokudo Shinroku 六渡心六

1948-malekofu potteryBorn in Fushiki, Toyama Prefecture. Inherited Kofu-ware from a kiln established at the end of the Meiji era. Studied under Naito Shingetsu I and Kawamura Shinsei II. In 1966, he succeeded to the third generation and built a new kiln in Takaoka City in 1970, focusing on high-fired unglazed ceramics.Kofu ware is made by a firing method that does not use glaze, which is mainly made of glass. (more…)

Richard Milgrim 利茶土ミルグリム

1955-maleBorn in New York. Studied ceramics and Japanese art, culture and history at Antioch University in Ohio. Came to Japan in 1977. Visited various potteries in Japan. While there, studied language, architecture, and gardens. Temporarily returned to Japan to graduate from university, and came to Japan again in 1979. Studied tea ceremony at Urasenke School and studied under Iwabuchi Shigeya in Kyoto. Later, he studied under Tahara Tobei in Hagi, Fujiwara Yu in Bizen, and Kato Kouemon in Mino. In 1960, he established his own kiln in Funai-gun, Kyoto Prefecture. Richard Kiln was named by Sen Soshitsu. Solo exhibitions at (more…)

Raizan Toshu 雷山陶秀

1941-maleReal name is Yamamoto Shuichi. Born in Wakayama Prefecture. Moved from the world of professional baseball to the world of ceramics. Joined the Nankai Hawks in 1960. Moved to the Nishitetsu Lions in 1963, and left the team in 1969 due to back pain. Later studied under Inoue Manji and Aoki Ryuzan in Arita and became independent. Received the Honorable Mention at the Fukuoka City Exhibition. His work has been selected for the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition, the Kyushu Contemporary Craft Exhibition, the Seibu Craft Exhibition, the New Japan Industrial Arts Exhibition, the Japan Contemporary Craft Exhibition, and others. Held a (more…)

Yoneda Hosei 米田芳清

1948-malebizen potteryHis real name is Minoru. Born in Yoshinaga-cho. Graduated from Okayama Kansai High School. After working for a company, he studied under Hanafusa Hideyasu in 1973. Built a climbing kiln in Wake County, Okayama Prefecture in 1975. He was selected for the Traditional Craft East Chugoku Branch Exhibition and Okayama Prefecture Exhibition. Pursued stone surface by devising surface treatment using sedimentation clay. (more…)

Yonezawa Mitsuo 米田光男

1935-maletobe porcelainBorn in Ehime prefecture. Graduated from Iyo Ceramics Research Institute. Studied under Kawamoto Rekitei and Kawamoto Goro in Seto and later trained at the Arita Kakiemon kiln. Went independent in 1976. Work in Nanko kiln. Top-class porcelain painter. Member of Tokokai. (more…)

Yonezawa Hisashi 米沢久

1931-?malekyo potteryGraduated from the Japanese painting department at Kyoto University of the Arts (current Tokyo University of the Arts). Studied under his father Somine as well as under Kusube Yaichi. Nitten associate member. Kofukai award-winner, member, judge. Recipient of the Contemporary Craft Exhibition Craft Award, Yomiuri Prize, Mayor’s Award (and jury member). Founding member of Nihon Shinkoren. Primarily focused on celadon, kneaded celadon, and flower-patterned white porcelain. (more…)

Yonezawa Koshiji 米沢越路

1953-femaleBorn in Toyama prefecture. Graduated from Saga Junior Art College. Studied under Kondo Yuzo and Katsu. Built a kiln in 1979. Recipient of the Women’s Ceramics Kyoto Mayor’s Award (and committee member). Member of the Board of Education for the Toyama Branch Exhibition of Traditional Crafts. Primarily focused on blue-white porcelain. (more…)