Japanese potters

Maruta Takumi 丸田巧

1956-maleichinose potteryBorn in Kuromuta, Takeo. Studied under his father Yasuyoshi. Recipient of the Toyota Award for his first work exhibited at the Fukuoka Prefecture Exhibition in 1977. Graduated from the Faculty of Arts at Kyushu Sangyo University in 1978. Built a half-underground anagama hole kiln in 1981. Recipient of the West Japan Ceramics Exhibition, Kyushu Contemporary Crafts Exhibition Fukuoka Governor’s Award. Selected for the Chunichi International Exhibition, Japan Contemporary Crafts Exhibition, other honors. Member of Hyundai Komikyo Kyushu. Primarily focused on yakishime, kohiki and salt glaze. (more…)

Maruta Takaaki 丸田隆彰

1955-2007malekuromuta potteryHeir to the tradition of Takeo-Karatsu Kuromuta-ware ceramics introduced back in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) in kilns built by a group of émigré potters from Korea. Studied under his father Masami and Nakazato Shigetoshi. Certified at the Arita kiln. Selected for the Japan Folk Crafts Museum Exhibition and Seibu Crafts Exhibition. Member of the Takeo Ceramics Association. Primarily focused on kohiki, hakeme, Mishima inlay and ryukake ceramics. (more…)

Mafune Shoko 真船晶子

1955-femaleGraduated from Faculty of Engineering at Seikei University in 1978. Later studied under Nakajo Masayasu and Suzuki Yoshimi. Open the Sayamu kiln in Tokyo’s Nakano-ku in 1983 and went independent. Primarily focused on hand-twisted Tatara ceramic figurines and crafts. (more…)

Mano Toshiyuki 間野俊行

1957-maleshigaraki potteryInitiated under Kanzaki Shiho of Shigaraki. Following a 7-year apprenticeship, went independent in 1984. Primarily focused on Shigaraki-ware using natural glaze. (more…)

Mano Gazan 間野雅山

1924-?maleReal name is Hoichi. 3rd generation of the Natsuyoshi kiln. The 1st generation Mano Hanjiro, his grandfather, was a Tokoname ware potter, invited as an engineer to build a German level ground kiln in Nishijin Sarayama, Fukuoka, and later started the Natsuyoshi kiln in Tagawa. Succeeded the kiln from his father Kinjiro and harmonized the Shizen-yu natural glaze of Tokoname and Ko-Agano ware to create Natsuyoshi black ceramics and celadon. (more…)

Matono Motomu 的野求

1945-2018malebizen potteryFrom Honami, Bizen. Graduated from the Faculty of Industrial Administration at Osaka Institute of Technology. After working at a food company, worked at the Bizen City Hall. Studied under Norimatsu Shunko and Hibata Koken during breaks in work, left the post in 1973, became an external apprentice of Fujiwara Ken, and started the Yudachiuke kiln in Honami, Bizen. Produced the first work in 1974. Selected for the Traditional Craft Art East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramic Exhibition, Chanoyu Tea Form Exhibition, and Okayama Prefectural Exhibition. Held private exhibitions at the Mitsukoshi in Hirakata.His son, Matono Satoshi, has taken (more…)

Matsuyama Gaei 2nd 二代 松山雅英

1920-?femalekujaku potteryReal name is Tsutako. From Tatsuno, Hyogo. Her wife, the 1st generation Gaei, returned to Japan in 1945 after researching old ceramics in China, started Tatsuno ware in his hometown in 1947, and completed Kujaku Tenmoku-yu glaze that changes color in the kiln in 1951. The 1st generation died in 1963. Assumed the name of 2nd generation Gaei in 1964. Succeeded the Tatsuno ware Kujaku Tenmoku and made ceramics. Presented and sold works to the House of the Imperial Prince, Held 20th Anniversary Exhibitions to commemorate the founding of the kiln at the Takashimaya in Osaka and Nihombashi in (more…)

Matsumoto Yasuto 松本康人

1921-?malebizen potteryFrom Bizen. Studied under Kusaka Shunyo and Arao Tsunezo of Kyo ware in 1946. Later worked at a brick company managed by his elder brother, started an ascending kiln and square kiln for firing celadon in Wake, Okayama in 1972. Held private exhibitions in the Tobu in Ikebukuro and around the country. (more…)

Matsumoto Mitsuo 松本三男

1943-maletamba potteryFrom Kasai, Hyogo (present-day Arita). After working for his father’s ceramic business, studied under Ichino Hiroyuki from Tamba. Started the Arita kiln of Kameyama ware in 1977. Selected for the Traditional Craft Art Kinki Branch Exhibition and other exhibitions. Won the Hyogo Prefectural Craft and Fine Art Exhibition Cultural Association Award, Honorable Mention Award, and other awards. Held private exhibitions at the Rengasha Gallery in Himeji, the KCC Art Gallery in Kobe, the Mitsukoshi, the Shintetsu Kaikan, and other venues. Works focus on Shirokesho, Suminagashi, Hai-yu ash glaze, and Tetsu-yu iron glaze. (more…)

Matsumoto Haizan 2nd 二代 松本佩山

1956-2017maleFrom Arita. Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts. Studied under his father, the 1st generation Haizan. Won the Saga Prefectural Exhibition Governor’s Award. Won the National Ceramic Craft Exhibition Toto Award and other awards. Held private exhibitions at the Yamagataya Gallery in Kagoshima and other venues. Member and judge of the Saga Fine Art Society. Works focus on celadon, Hakuji porcelain, Sometsuke blue and white porcelain, under graze copper red, and cinnabar. (more…)

Matsumoto Shuji 松本衆司

1919-?maleWent by the name of Sojin. Dropped out of the Faculty of Art at Nihon University. Studied under Hineno Sakuzo. After serving as the head of the Mie Prefectural Ceramic Experimental Institute Research Office, started the Tosei Tobo studio in Kawagoe, Mie in 1976 and researched Iga Ware and Ko-Banko decoration techniques. Served as a instructor at the Philippine. National Ceramic Technique Center. Member of the Japan Craft Society. Part-time Prefectural Technical Advisor. Created objects inside the tanks at Shima Marineland Aquarium, the ceramic walls at Hisai Park, and other items. Works focus on tableware and tea sets using Ko-Banko (more…)

Matsumoto Sakichi 2nd 二代 松本佐吉

1905-1988malekutani porcelainAlso known as Shoundo the 4th. From Ishikawa Prefecture. Learned Old Kutani and Yoshida-ya style from Sakichi I. Adopted by him and became the fourth generation of Shoundo. Sutadied under Itaya Hazan. Exhibited as a representative at the New York and San Francisco Expos in 1938 and 1939. Works exhibited at the 1951 Nitten Exhibition were stored at the Japan Art Academy and won Special Selection and other awards. Won the Komatsu Culture Award. Member of the Ishikawa Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property Kutani Ware Technique Preservation Association in 1976. Sold works to the Prefectural Museum. Works focus on old (more…)

Matsumoto Sakio 松本佐喜男

1932-?malekutani porcelainFrom Ishikawa Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Sculpture at the Kanazawa College of Art. Learned Iroe overglaze enamels and Kutani techniques from the previous generation Sakichi, his grandfather, and the present generation Sakichi, his father. Later studied under Somekawa Tetsunosuke. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1962, selected numerous times since then, and became a Fellow Member of the Nitten. Member of the Japan New Craft Art Association. Shoundo was a ceramic studio in Komatsu that has continued the mainstream of color Kutani painting from Matsumoto Sahei, son of Matsuya Kikusaburo, through Matsumoto Sakichi, (more…)

Matsumoto Saichi 松本佐一

1930-malekutani porcelainFrom Kanazawa. Great-grandfather was Shoundo Matsumoto Sahei, who started a kiln in the Tenpo era. Matsumoto Sataro, the leading expert in the field of Kutani ware research, was his grandfather. Graduated from Kanazawa College of Art. Graduated from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry’s National Ceramic Experimental Institute. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1952 and sold works to the Tokyo Municipal Government. Selected numerous times since then, won Special Selection, became exempt from appraisal, and became a Fellow Member. Won numerous awards at the Asahi Ceramic Craft Exhibition, Kofukai Exhibition, and Chunichi International (more…)

Matsumoto Kanjiro 松本幹治郎

1956-2017malearita porcelainGraduated from Arita High School and the Saga Ceramic Experimental Institute. After studying at the Keizan kiln of Shinwa pottery, trained under Imamura Hiroshi at Toestu kiln. Style is based on Aoki Ryuzan. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition, Japan Modern Craft Art Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Won the Prefectural Exhibition Honorable Mention Award. Won Second Place at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Exhibition. Won the Modern Craft Art Kyushu Exhibition Board of Education Award. Works focus on Fukizome blow-dyeing of slip. (more…)

Matsumoto Katsuya 松本勝哉

1942-malebizen potteryFrom Sasakura, Hyogo. Sought to create Bizen ware while carrying on tradition as the 3rd generation from his grandfather Matazaemon, who started a Tamba ware kiln in Sasakura, Kasai. Studied under Fujiwara Yu and Fujiwara Kyosuke. Became independent in 1976. Selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, Chunichi International Exhibition, and other exhibitions. (more…)

Matsumoto Hisashi 松本央

1951-maleiga potteryFrom Iga Ueno. Graduated from the Mie Ceramic Experimental Institute. Studied under his father Shuji. Selected for the Tokai Traditional Craft Art Exhibition, Mie Prefectural Exhibition, Japan Contemporary Craft and Fine Art Exhibition, Japan New Craft Art Exhibition and other exhibitions. Exhibited at the Yokkaichi Timeless Ceramic Exhibition and won the Mayor’s Award at the Yokkaichi Exhibition. Member of the Japan New Craft Association Tokai Branch. (more…)

Matsumoto Isami 松本為佐視

1931-?maleFrom Kyoto. Studied under Kusube Yaichi and Miyashita Zenju. Founding Member of the Kyoto Celadon Society. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1955. Since then, won the Hokuto Award, became exempt from appraisal, was commissioned, served as a judge, and became a member. Founding Member and Councillor of the Japan New Craft Association. Judge of their exhibitions. Held private exhibitions at the Wako in Ginza and other venues. Works focus on celadon, Hakuji porcelain, Yuriko red copper glaze, and color changes in the kiln. (more…)

Matsumura Jun 松村淳

1931-?maleFrom Tokyo. After studying at the Tajimi Ceramic Experimental Institute, studied under Sawamura Jiro at Kotani Ceramic Research Institute in Toki. Studied under Kato Kobei. Became independent in 1964. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1965 and became a Fellow Member. Member of the Contemporary Craft and Fine Art Society. Works focus on Shino ware, Oribe ware. Kizeto ware, and Haitetsu-yu glaze. (more…)

Matsumura Jindanbo 松村仁団望

1947-maleReal name is Kazuo. From Saitama Prefecture. Trained at Tsukamoto Ceramics in Mashiko in 1970. Started a kiln in Osawago in 1973 and became independent. Selected many times for the Traditional Craft Art Musashino Exhibition and Shinsho Craft Art Exhibition. Held private exhibitions at the Mashiko Pottery Cooperative Selling Center Gallery, Ginza Gallery Neko, and other venues and group exhibitions around the country. Works focus on charcoal-fired jars and large pots with Yakishime Zogan inlay work and Hai-yu ash glaze. (more…)