Japanese potters

Yokoi Sosuke 横井惣助

Late Edo period – Meiji periodmaleYokoi Sosuke was based out of Sonoicho in Nagoya, and his work primarily involved adding artwork to pottery. He created artwork for Meiji-era export pieces during the Tenpo era from 1830 to 1844, for which he requested unglazed pottery from Seto’s Kato Shigeju. He received the coveted Homon (‘phoenix’) Award at the first and second National Industrial Exhibitions. (more…)

Yokoe Kazo 横江嘉三

1901-?maleYokoe Kazo is the grandchild of first-generation Yokoe Kajuro, the village mayor of Yasu’uchi village in Toyama Prefecture (which was located in present-day Yatsuomachi Sekido). He is also the older brother of sculptor Yokoe Kazumi.In 1841, during the latter-Edo period, the ceramics maker Kato Tsune’emon came from Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture) to Sekido and started Sekido ware. Although his pottery was closed down in 1892, it was later restarted in 1934 by Yokoe Kazo. Yokoe Kazo distinguished himself for his own colored glazes, particularly for the color variations he achieved with cinnabar glazes. (more…)

Yoshimura Rakunyu 3rd 三代 吉村楽入

1959-maleraku potteryBorn the oldest son of Yoshimura Rakunyu II, Yoshimura Rakunyu III studied at the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Training Facility and the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramists’ Training Institute after graduating from university. Afterward, he studied under his father.In 1986, he submitted several works in a group exhibition, and, in 1993, his works were accepted to the Kyo Ware and Kiyomizu Ware Paris Exhibition.In 2000, he was bestowed Shigeo (his real name) sign from priest Kumagai Ryusho of the Senyu-ji temple. In 2001, he was certified as a highly-skilled traditional craftsman. In 2004, he inherited the title Rakunyu III. Currently, he presents (more…)

Yoshimura Rakunyu 2nd 二代 吉村楽入

1929 – ?maleraku potteryThe Yoshimura family manufactured yakishime (‘high-fired and unglazed’) ware whetstones and had a residence near Matsubara on Higashioji Street. In the early-Showa period, however, first-generation Yoshimura Rakunyu moved to the present location and began making pottery.Yoshimura Rakunyu I’s son, Toshio, studied at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramists’ Training Institute, and he later began helping his father, Jinshiro (first-generation Rakunyu), making Raku ware teaware. He then inherited the titled of Rakunyu II and began working in the Kyoto Raku Ware Association, where he became president in 1985.His oldest son has now inherited the title of Yoshimura III. (more…)

Yokoi Beikin 横井米禽

1885-1941shinonome potteryBorn in Atsuta, Nagoya, Beikin’s family business was an antique dealer, but Beikin became interested in pottery at a young age and worked at the Yosamu-ware kiln in Furusawa-cho. In the course of Beikin’s business, Beikin often came in contact with masterpieces of antiques, which Beikin used as models for Beikin’s pottery. Beikin handled all aspects of tea ceremony ceramics, and left behind masterpieces that rivaled those of any professional potter. Died in 1941 at the age of 56. (more…)

Yoshika Taiga 吉賀大雅

1915-1991malehagi pottery Yoshiga Taiga was born into a family which passed down a Hagi ware pottery from generation to generation. He started Senryuzan pottery in the Showa period.Initially, he did not create works himself, and instead worked mainly in management and toward expanding the market under the name Yoshiga Taigado. In his later years, however, he made his own works under the name Yoshiga Taiga. He is also well known as the father of famous Hagi ware potter, Yoshiga Daibi. (more…)

Yoshimura Kan’a 芳村観阿

1765-1848maleYoshimura Kan’a was a master of tea ceremony and man of refined taste in Edo during the latter-Edo period.He is thought to have been a wealthy merchant who collected many antique paintings and calligraphic works. He originally lived in Kyoto, but later moved to Edo (present-day Tokyo).He is known for having made a donation from his collection to Todai-ji temple which included the donations accountbook for the reconstruction of the temple and notes about leading people to Buddhism written by Shunjobo Chogen, a prominent Japanese Buddhist monk. He also assisted Matsudaira Fumai in his collections as an advisor about tea (more…)

Yotsugi Jakusho 世継寂窓

late Edo periodYotsugi Jakusho was a prospereous merchant in Kyoto who went by the name Gifuya Hachirobe.He began learning painting from Gessen, and later modeled his style after Chinese paintings from the Yuan and Ming dynasties.He was also known as a poet and a master of tea ceremony who composed renga poems and made his own teaware. (more…)

Yokohagi Ikko 2nd 二代 横萩一光

1850-1924maleYokohagi Ikko II was born the child of Ikko I. He studied ceramics making from a young age under his father and helped assist his father’s work. In 1868, he began making Utatsu ware with his father in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. In 1871, he inherited the Uguisudani Hisada kiln and began making his own pottery (some argue that he began making pottery at the Uguisudani kiln around 1879). Later, he would give Uguisudani kiln to Nozaki Sakichi. After teaching ceramics making from 1882 to 1883 upon receiving an invitation to do so from the makers of Ango ware in Etchu (more…)

Yokohagi Ikko 1st 初代 横萩一光

1807-1882maleYokohagi Ikko was from Etchu Province (present-day Toyama Prefecture). From around 1830 to 1844, he received an invitation from the daimyo of the Toyama Domain, Maeda Toshiyasu, to work as a Karatsu ware maker. During this time, he received the artist name “Ikko”. Afterward, around 1862, he would receive a similar request from Maeda Nariyasu, the daimyo of the neighboring Kaga Domain, and he would begin making Karatsu ware as an official ceramics maker for the clan. In 1858, he also helped assist porcelain manufacturing of Hanyu ware and Chikutei ware.Yokohagi Ikko made porcelain in Kyoto for a time when (more…)

Yonezawa Soho 米澤蘇峰

1907-1968malekyo potteryYounger brother of Suwa Sozan II. Yonezawa Soho was from Ishikawa prefecture. He was a Kyo ware maker who specialized in tea bowls that used celadon glazes. After the war, he actively presented his pieces at exhibitions such as the Nitten Exhibition.His second son is Yonezawa Hisashi, a presenter at the Nitten Exhibition who worked under the title Suwa Sozan III. (more…)

Yokoi Kinkoku 横井金谷

1761-1832malekinkoku potteryYokoi Kinkoku was born in Otsu in Omi Province (present-day Shiga prefecture). He studied painting in Kyoto under Otsu Buson. Afterward, he headed to Nagoya, where he became the chief priest at Daiho-in Temple, creating teaware and other ceramics on the side. He is the founder of Kinkoku ware. (more…)

Yamaguchi Kotaro 山口幸太郎

Bakumatsu or Meiji period – ?maleMainly fired unglazed Dehua porcelain under the artist name Sanko in a old kin. Provided painters with the works that he created, which were mainly toilets and nested boxes. (more…)

Yamada Hakusui 山田白水

1914-1984maletobe porcelainCarried out activities as the owner of the Tobe ware kiln producing the most Dehua porcelain in Shikoku. His son Kunio became the 2nd generation and is presently active. (more…)

Yamamoto Yuji 山本雄次

1945-malePen-name is Yamamoto Bakuha. Moved to Kyoto in 1965 to study Western painting. Later started studying Kyo ware in Kiyomizu in 1970 and became independent in 1975.Won the Mayor’s Award at the 3rd Kyo Ware Kiyomizu Ware Exhibition in 1981. Won the Governor’s Award the following year. Exhibited at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition in 1985. Held private exhibitions thereafter, mainly at the Takashimaya in Yokohama and Osaka. (more…)

Yamamoto Minmatsu 山下民松

end of edo period or Meiji period – ?malekutani porcelainNo details are known other than that he had a factory in Bentencho, Yokohama in the Meiji era and painted Yokohama ware. Stocked unglazed pottery from Kawamoto Masukichi from Seto and others and mainly excelled at painting the customs of the Edo period and warriors. Supported the popularity of Yokohama ware through elegant painting that incorporated elements of gold painted Kutani ware and was popular overseas. (more…)

Yamamoto Hokusai 山本北彩

1916-?Lived in Takahama, Aichi. Helped Hokusai’s family business of manufacturing tiles starting around 1930 and started making ceramic bonsai pots under Sugiura Fukumine and Sanshu Ichiyo around 1968. Became independent thereafter and mainly produced clay works (red stoneware, etc.). Particularly popular for Hokusai’s range of works with sharp angles. (more…)

Yasuda Kojin 安田浩人

1962-maleawata potteryStudied abroad in the United States at the age of 16. Later graduated from university after returning home and enrolled in the Faculty of Shaping at the Ceramic Professional Training School to restore Awata ware, which had come to an end. Later graduated from the Faculty of Ceramics at Kyoto Municipal Industrial Experimental Institute and studied under Nishimura Tokusen of Kiyomizu ware. Became independent in 1994. Highly trusted by Zabosai of the Urasenke school. Held private exhibitions at the Daimaru and other department stores across Japan. Aimed to restore the tasteful Awata ware of the Edo period. Created ceramics (more…)

Yamaguchi Shigeru 山口茂

1925-?maleAn artist who excelled at making copies of traditional Mino ware, Kizeto ware, and Oribe ware. Specialized in making teacups, water containers, tea containers, and tea bowls. (more…)