Japanese potters

Yamamoto Kyozan 山本京山

1919-?malehagi potteryWorked at the Sansui-an Hitomaru Hagi ware kiln. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), he left the clan kiln and inherited the re-established kiln, which was moved to Sakuragaya near the Hitomaru Shrine. Studied under Yoshika Taibi. Received awards at the Hagi City Exhibition, the Yamaguchi Prefecture Exhibition, the Contemporary Craft China Exhibition, the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition, and others. (more…)

Yamamoto Imaji 山本今治

1922-?maleshigaraki potterySince 1962, he has been creating water jars, teabowls, and vases using twisting and coiling techniques, reproducing old Shigaraki pottery. (more…)

Yamamoto Izuru 山本出

1944-malebizen potteryBorn in Okayama Prefecture. Fourth son of Yamamoto Toshu. Graduated from Musashino Art University, majoring in sculpture, and entered the Department of Sculpture at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1968, where he studied under Professor Louise Legg. He was invited to the Cuba Expo and the Biennale International d’Ormes Women. After returning to Japan in 1965, he studied under his father, Tohshu. In 1975, he established his own kiln in Inbe. Awarded the Sanyo Newspaper Prize at the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, the Prefectural Exhibition Prize, the Chairman’s Prize at the Traditional Craft East Chugoku Branch (more…)

Yamane Yoshiaki 山根義秋

1948-malebizen potteryBorn in Akita Prefecture. Studied at Chuo University, but was attracted to Bizen Pottery and left school to study at Bishu Kiln. Also studied under Yamamoto Toshu and Yuichi. In 1979, he built a climbing kiln in Maniwa-gun, Okayama Prefecture. Awarded the Prefecture Education Director’s Prize at the East Chugoku Branch Exhibition of Traditional Arts. He has worked mainly on Bizen, Shino, Hagi, and Karatsu. (more…)

Yamane Kosai 2nd 二代 山根興哉

1929-?malemiyajima potteryHe inherited from the first generation of Kosai (1895-1979), who revived Miyajima ware, an old local kiln, by combining traditional techniques of Kyoto ware and Hagi ware. Studied under Kato Tokuro. He has won awards at the Shinkyo Exhibition, and is a member, committee member, and recipient of craft awards. Awarded the Minister of Education’s Prize at the Japan Expressionist Exhibition, Member, and Cultural Prize. Won many prizes at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and others. (more…)

Yamato Sakutaro 1st 初代 大和松禄

1855-1921malehagi potteryYamato Sakutaro, also known as Shoroku the 1st, was born in 1855 and served as the head of the Todaiji Kiln from 1881 to 1887. His career as a potter was probably influenced by his father Yagoro, who was a potter at the Senryuzan Kiln as well as a kimono merchant, the family business.In 1887, Sakutaro opened the Hagi-Matsumoto-Shoroku Kiln in Matsumoto, but it was discontinued three years later. In 1889, he was invited to become the head of the Yamaguchi Pottery Company run by Bandai Hikoshichi, and the whole family moved to Yamaguchi.He continued to produce Hagi ware (more…)

Yamato Yoshitaka 大和吉孝

1944-2010malehagi potteryEldest son of Yoshitaka Shoroku II. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Fukuoka University. Later inherited the Hagi ware kiln from generation to generation. Received the Director’s Prize and Honorable Mention at the Yamaguchi Branch of the Japan Traditional Crafts. Received the Yamaguchi Prefecture Exhibition Honorable Mention Award. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Western Craft Exhibition, the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and others. Solo exhibitions at Osaka Daimaru and others. (more…)

Yamato Yuji 大和祐二

1946-malehagi potterySecond son of Yoshitaka Shoroku. Graduated from Ritsumeikan University. Received the Honorable Mention Award and the Honorable Mention at the Yamaguchi Prefectural Exhibition. He has been selected for the Western Craft Exhibition, the Japan New Craft Exhibition, the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, and others. (more…)

Yamato Yasuo 大和保男

1933-malehagi potteryThe second son of Yamato Harunobu (Harunobu Shoroku) and has been creating new techniques such as “Oni-hagi-Enpaku” from traditional Hagi ware for generations. He has been awarded many prizes at the Nitten exhibition. Since 1979, he has received the Yamaguchi Branch Director’s Award of the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and many other awards. He is a regular member of Japan Kogei Association. He has created ceramic walls for the Prefectural Museum of Art, the Prefectural Government Building Hall, and others. (more…)

Yamato Nobuaki 大和信昭

1956-2015malehagi potteryWorks at the Shoroku Kiln of Yamato Harunobu. Harunobu is his grandfather. Graduated from Nihon University College of Art. Awarded the Mayor’s Prize at the Yamaguchi City Exhibition. Awarded the Kumamoto Broadcasting Award at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Exhibition. Selected for the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the West Japan Craft Exhibition, and others. (more…)

Yamato Tomoko 大和知子

1951-femalemashiko potteryBorn in Shiogama City. After graduating from Miyagi Gakuin High School, she completed the Tochigi Ceramic Instructor’s Course. In 1974, she set up her own business in Mashiko, and in 1977, she went to Europe and trained at kilns in various countries. After returning to Japan the following year, she exhibited her tableware in Sendai, Tokyo and other places. (more…)

Yamato Toshio 大和敏男

1934-?malehagi potteryBorn in Yamaguchi City. Graduated from Yamaguchi University. Studied under his father Yamato Shoichi, who has been in the family business of Hagi ware for generations. Has won prizes at the Western Craft Exhibition, the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Exhibition, and others. He has had solo exhibitions at Osaka Kintetsu Department Store and Matsue Museum. (more…)

Yamato Shogan 大和松雁

1921-1997malehagi potteryBorn in Yamaguchi City. Inherited a Hagi ware kiln from generation to generation. Eldest son of Shoichi Shoroku. Awarded the Minister of Education’s Prize at the First Art Exhibition, and is a member, standing committee member, and councilor. Purchased by various governments. Has held solo exhibitions at Mitsukoshi Department Store, Matsuzakaya Department store and others. (more…)

Yamato Shoroku 11th 十一代 大和松緑

1924-?hagi potteryHe is the 11th generation of Hatsuse Shoroku Kiln, which has been in operation for a century since it was moved from the foot of Kichijo mountain Tokoji Temple in Matsumoto to Miyano, Yamaguchi City. He has held solo exhibitions at Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store, Shinjuku Odakyu Department Store, etc. (more…)

Yamato Kiyoshi 大和潔

1953-malehagi potteryBorn in Yamaguchi City. Studied under his father, Yamato Shoroku the 11th. Graduated from Graduated from Yamaguchi High School, studied in Kyoto in 1972, and returned to Yamaguchi in 1973. Selected for the Yamaguchi Prefectural Exhibition, the Western Craft Exhibition, the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition. He has held solo exhibitions at Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store, Kichijoji, Nihonbashi Tokyu Department Store, and others. powder glaze, ash-covered and kairagi technique. (more…)

Yamachika Go 山近剛

1930-2020malekutani porcelainBorn in Ishikawa Prefecture. Helped with coloring and firing at a nearby pottery shop from a young age. Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art, Department of Ceramics. Studied under Kitade Toujiro. Served as a member of the jury and steering committee for the 25th Anniversary Prize of the Creation Exhibition, the Hokka Prize, and the Minister of Education’s Honorable Mention. Selected and won prizes at the Gendai Bijutsu Ten (Contemporary Art Exhibition), Toto-kai, and Issui-kai. President of Kenzan-kai. Focuses on Kutani painting with sharp expression. (more…)

Yamada Ryuzan 山田龍山

1948-malekutani porcelainBorn in Terai Town. His real name is Yoshiaki. He took over the family business and studied under his father, Ryuzan. Studied Kutani overglaze painting under Yamachika Go and Takekoshi Taizan. Received the highest award at the Kutani New Work Exhibition. Member of the Creation Exhibition Newcomer Prize. Awarded the Excellence Prize at the Traditional Kutani Craft Exhibition. He was selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and is an associate member. (more…)

Yamada Yoshitaka 山田義孝

1950-maleoribe potteryBorn in Toki. Works mainly Narumi Oribe in the Akuta-gama kiln. His works have been selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, Chunichi International Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, and others. Awarded the Mino Ceramic Art Exhibition Honorable Mention and is a member. Regular member of Japan Kogei Association. Solo exhibition at Minami Aoyama Green Gallery. (more…)

Yamada Yasushi 山田泰

1949-maleBorn in Tokyo, studied under Iwabuchi Shigeya in Kyoto in 1974, and built a kiln in Hiki-gun, Saitama Prefecture in 1982. Awarded a prize at the Kinki Branch Exhibition of Traditional Craft. Solo exhibitions at Shibuya Matsuoka, Urawa Isetan Department store, etc. Works mainly high-fired unglazed ceramics, powder glaze, and white porcelain. (more…)

Yamada Minoru 山田稔

1942-maleBorn in Osaka. Studied under Tsuji Shinroku. Works at Rokuya Kiln. Awarded the Kyoto Exhibition Honorable Mention. Mayor’s Prize at City Exhibition. Bronze Prize at Kyoto Craft Exhibition. Member of the Kyoto Craft Exhibition. He has been continuously selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and is a regular member of Japan Kogei Association. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Contemporary Craft Exhibition, and others. Member of the Kyoto Industrial Arts Association. Solo exhibitions at Mitsukoshi, Osaka and elsewhere. Works mainly with celadon, jun ware, Tianmu, and white glaze. (more…)