Japanese potters

Mochimaru Fusako 持丸房子

1936-femaleBorn in Yokohama, she studied under Ichihashi Toshiko (doll maker, a living national treasure) in 1953. Later studied under Inoue Manji at the Saga Ceramic Research Institute and Onishi Seitaro at the Kyoto Industrial Research Institute. In 1972, she built a wood-fired kiln and became independent and became a lecturer at the Arita Ceramics School and Catolico University in Peru. (more…)

Motai Yukiko 母袋幸子

1933-femaleBorn in Kobe City. Graduated from Shoei Junior College. Studied under Nakanishi Yoshikazu after working as an instructor at both Shoei and Minatogawa junior colleges. Won a prize at the Takatsuki City Exhibition. Received the Mainichi Newspaper Award at the Women’s Ceramic Art Exhibition. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and Chunichi International Exhibition, Faenza International Exhibition. Held solo exhibitions with Nakanishi and Araki Takako, including Pottery for Couple Exhibition and Object Pottery Exhibition. Exhibited at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Modern Art Now ’80 and other international exhibitions. Uses Irabo glaze and paper-like clay. (more…)

Muromachi Katsuhiro 室町勝廣

1949-maleBorn in Tokyo. Graduated from Tokyo Designer Gakuin. Studied under Kawakami Shozaburo and Tamura Koichi, and established his own kiln in Imaichi, Tochigi Prefecture in 1975. His works have been selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, the New Works Exhibition, and the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. He has had solo exhibitions at Fujino-ya in Sano, Tokyo American Club, and others. His works are mainly celadon, carved designs, painted porcelain, and cinnabar. He is a regular member of Japan Kogei Association. (more…)

Muroi Koetsu 室井香悦

1928-?malekankake potteryBorn in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, he moved to Shodoshima Island, Kagawa Prefecture, with his father, Koetsu I, in 1945. The following year, he revived Kankake pottery, and in 1950, he succeeded Koetsu II. Mainly tea ceremony utensils and flower vases. (more…)

Muramatsu Takashi 村松卓

1951-maleAfter studying Shigaraki, he studied under Kaneda Shikao in Toride, Ibaraki Prefecture. Later, he became independent in Yokkaichi, Shiga Prefecture. Awarded a prize at the Kinki Branch Traditional Craft Exhibition and the Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition. Mainly working with inlayed ware and sgraffito. (more…)

Nakamura Suiho 村中翠芳

1909-?kutani porcelainStudied under Nakamura Suiko in Kaga and was given an artist name Suiho. Awarded a prize at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition and the Issuikai Exhibition. (more…)

Murata Yoshimi 村田好美

1938-femaleA graduate of Musashino Art School, she studied under Watanabe Isshin in 1970, and in 1974 built the Gorikida-gama Kiln in Gorikida, Kawasaki City, where she became independent. She has had solo exhibitions at Shinjuku Odakyu, Ginza Matsuya, The National Museum of Oriental Art, Sweden, Rati Museum of Art, Finland, Shibuya Kuroda Toen, and Yokohama Sogo, as well as three person exhibitions. Oribe ware, white slip ware, brush marks, zaffre glaze painting and high-fired unglazed ceramics are her main works. (more…)

Murata Hiroshi 村田浩

1941-malemashiko potteryBorn in Tokyo and raised in Mashiko. Graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology. Studied under his father, Murata Gen, since 1970. After working as a part-time contractor at the Tochigi Prefectural Ceramic Training Institute, he built a climbing kiln and became independent in 1977. Solo exhibitions at Marunouchi Ohashi Hall, Ginza Okura Gallery, Ikebukuro Seibu, and others, focusing on bran glaze, iron and sand glaze, and iron glazed painting. (more…)

Murata Toshimitsu 村田敏光

1941-maleBorn in Kyoto. Graduated from the Kyoto Pottery Vocational Training School. Inherited the family business. Awarded a prize at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and others. A regular member of the Japan Industrial Arts Association. Mainly specializes in celadon and gold-painted porcelain. (more…)

Murata Toseki 村田陶石

1926-?maletamba potteryIn 1948, he became the chief priest of Myotokuji temple of the Myoshinji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. Established a cellar kiln in 1980. Selected for the Japan Modern Craft Exhibition and the Nitten exhibition. Solo exhibitions at Iwataya in Fukuoka, Ginza Matsuya, Kobe Sogo and others. Member of the Kyoto Industrial Association. Tamba ware, natural glaze tea pottery. (more…)

Murata Tetsuo 村田哲夫

1922-?maleAlso known as Murata Juko. He was born in Tajimi. He is the third generation of the Murata family. Grandfather Jo and father Moritoki were born in Kaga Daishoji. His father, who had close ties to Kato Tokuro and Kato Hajime, was a glaze artist and glaze researcher. In 1965, under the instruction of Kato Tokuro, he opened the Juko-tosha kiln in Toyoyama, Owari, and pursued the idea of scorched surface coloring in Shino ware. He served as a judge for the Aichi Prefectural Exhibition and as the head of the Owari Branch of the Japan Ceramic Society. Received the (more…)

Murata Koyo 村田光陽

1943-maleBuilt a Karasune kiln in Handa City, Aichi Prefecture and produced pottery. Awarded at the National Exhibition, Issuikai Exhibition, Japan Mingeikan Exhibition and Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition. Stoneware style of unglazed pottery, painted and inlaid decoration, etc. (more…)

Murashima Setsuzan 村島雪山

1929-?malearita porcelainBorn in Kami Kohei, Arita-cho. In 1945, he received an apprenticeship as a potter at Koransha. Award of honorable mention at the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Exhibition, the Minister of Education’s Honorable Mention, and his masterpiece was purchased by the prefecture. Awarded a prize at the Issuikai Exhibition. Honorable Mention at the West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and the Governor of Saga Prefecture Award. Honorable Mentions at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and other prizes. Member of the Prefectural Art Association. Designated as a traditional artisan by the Minister of International Trade and Industry. A regular member of the Japan Artisans Society. (more…)

Sawamura Hiroshi 村澤浩

1948-malemashiko potteryHe was born in Mashiko. He inherited the first kiln with his grandfather Tadashi and father Kazumasa. Graduated from Sakushin Gakuin school. Graduated from the Tochigi Prefectural Ceramic Art Training Institute. Selected for the New Traditional Craft Exhibition, the National Exhibition, and the North Kanto Art Exhibition. (more…)

Murasawa Kazumasa 村澤一正

1924-?malemashiko potteryHe was born in Mashiko. He inherited the first kiln established in the Meiji era with his father Tadashi. Mainly iron and ash glaze. (more…)

Murakoshi Fugetsu 3rd 三代 村越風月

1950-maletokoname potteryBorn in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture. In 1965, he studied under Yamada Jozan. Awarded a prize at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, the Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition, the Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, and the Choza Prize Ceramic Art Exhibition. Exhibited at the Modern Sencha Tea Utensils Exhibition, Yamada Jozan’s Family Exhibition, Selected Artist Kyusu Exhibition, and others. He is a member of the Tokai Branch of the Japan Art Crafts Association and the Tokoname Tezukuri Kyusu Association. He makes tea utensils with unglazed or scorched surface coloring, mainly in a red clay kyusu tea pot. (more…)

Muraki Asashi 村木朝司

1923-?maleBorn in Shizuoka Prefecture. Graduated from Nihon University. Studied under Ezaki Issei in Tokoname. Awarded a prize at the New Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Musashino Exhibition, and others. Published “Togei Nyomon” (Shufutoseikatsu-sha Co.) and “Tsuchi Asobi” (Hoshinowa-kai Co.). Member of Toen Association, Sagami Craft Association, and Kanagawa Prefecture Ceramic Society. He is a professor at the ceramic course of Joetsu University of Education. (more…)

Murakami Toichi 村上東市

1951-maleBorn in Mashiko. Graduated from Wako University. Studied under Kamiya Norio. Awarded a prize at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and others. Ash glazed pattern, Aka-e, and uander glaze painting. (more…)

Murakami Masanori 村上正典

1935-2007maleBorn in Tokyo and graduated from Kyoto Art University. Studied under Tomimoto Kenkichi and Kondo Yuzo. Member of the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition, Honorable Mention, and Director. President’s Award of the Japan Ceramic Society at the International Ceramics Exhibition, the Korean Embassy Award, and a member of the Japan Ceramic Society. Awarded prizes at the All Kansai Exhibition, Daiichi Art Exhibition, Shinshoukai, Issuikai, Sangiikai, Shinkyo Exhibition, and others. Exhibited at the Exhibition of Japanese Craft Excellence in Denmark and other foreign countries. Member of the Association of University Art Education and Professor at Naruto University of Education. Mainly in overglaze (more…)