Japanese potters

Gary Moler

1951-shigaraki potteryDeveloped an interest in ceramics, moved to Japan, and trained under Tsuji Seimei. Became independent in 1977 and started making ceramics in Shigaraki. Built a kiln and his home in Minakuchi, Koga in 1983.Since hosting his first private exhibition at the Aoyama Gallery in Shigaraki in 1980, presented works at galleries and department stores across Japan, with a focus on private exhibitions at this gallery. Also selected numerous times for the Chunichi International Ceramic Exhibition, Japan Craft Society Kinki Branch Exhibition and other public exhibitions. (more…)

Morita Hironori 森田博則

1952-malemino potterySought to become a painter and produced Western paintings and prints. Studied abroad in Granada Art School in Spain in 1978. After returning to Japan, studied ceramics at Seto Ceramic Training School starting in 1979 and became independent by starting a self-built firewood kiln in Obara in 1980. Moved the studio to Okazaki in 1985 where it remains at present. Works focus on Kizeto ware and Oribe ware sake vessels, tableware, and tea bowls. Presented works at private exhibitions. (more…)

Mori Issei 森一正

1900-1979malekutani porcelainStudied overglaze painting under Adachi Tosen, the instructor at the Prefectural Industrial School, Tomimoto Kenkichi, who was visiting Kitade kiln of Kutani ware, and others to embark on his career as a ceramic painter. Selected for the Ceramic Division of the Kokuga-kai Exhibition for the first time in 1937, repeatedly exhibiting works at, being selected for, and winning awards at various craft exhibitions, with a focus on this exhibition, thereafter. Certified as an Art Preservationist by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 1942. After World War II, exhibited works at the Kokugakai Exhibition, Nitten Exhibition, Shinsho Kogeikai Exhibition, (more…)

Mori Koshu 森香洲

1855-1921malemushiake potteryPotter of Mushiake ware, which had been created from before as the commissioned pottery of the Igi family, the chief retainer of the Okayama Domain. Thrived from around the Bakumatsu to the Taisho era.Together with his father Mori Kakutaro, who received a kiln from Makuzu Chozo, who had come to provide ceramic instruction, received instruction from the 1st generation Makuzu Kozan, Chozo’s son who was also invited to provide ceramic instruction of the Mushiake ware style in 1868. Received a kanji from Kozan to start making ceramics under the artist name of Koshu. Although the kiln of the Igi (more…)

Meiho 鳴鳳

Late Edo Period – ?koto porcelainOne of the representative painters of the Koto ware Hikone Domain kiln. Originally was a samurai serving a temple in Kyoto, but moved to Hikone with his wife and children around 1850 and is said to have started painting Koto ware after receiving special treatment from the feudal lord Ii Naosuke. Excelled most in elaborate red paintings with gold glaze. Frequently used patterns of the Chinese phoenix, dolls dressed in ancient Chinese clothing, and sages. Is said to have moved to Ise several years later. (more…)

Murakami Genki 村上玄輝

1931-2009malearita porcelainAfter repeatedly training under Tatebayashi Gen’emon, the noted kiln owner of Arita ware, became independent and started the Genki studio. Mainly presented works at private exhibitions at the Kintestu department stores in the Kinki region and notable department stores in Tokyo and the Kyushu region.Made a wide range of works, including large plates, incense burners, flower bowls, and other items for viewing, as well as tableware, sake vessels, coffee mugs, teacups, and other items for daily use. (more…)

Murata Toshimitsu 村田俊光

1941-maleAfter graduating from Kyoto Ceramic Training School, started training in ceramics under the guidance of his father Murata Toen and succeeded the family business. Selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition for the first time in 1974 and was selected for numerous exhibitions thereafter. Created Kinrande and celadon flower vessels. (more…)

Murai Kien 村井紀炎

1942-femaleFemale artist. Repeatedly trained under the guidance of the ceramic painter Tanaka Yuichi, painted cherry blossoms on porcelain, and presented works.Won the Kyoto Prefectural Governor’s Award at the Kyoten Exhibition in 1989, the Fine Work Award at the Craft Industrial Technique Contest in 1990, the the Kyoto Prefectural Governor’s Award at the Kyoto Seiyokai Exhibitions in 1990 and 1991, and other awards. (more…)

Murase Biko 村瀬美香

1828-1896malefujimi potteryFeudal retainer of the Owari Domain and also filled various other posts, such as at Ota Regional Office and as a Lumber Magistrate. While serving important posts for the domain, enjoyed refined activities and excelled at poetry, song, seal engraving, and tea ceremonies. Studied ceramics under Ichie Hozo, a master at the time. Started a kiln in his home in Maezu, Nagoya in 1852. Started making Raku ware and established Fujimi ware. In addition to Raku ware, the style of his works was broad, covering Korai ware, Annan ware, Namban ware, and blue and white pottery. Many of his (more…)

Murata Toen 村田陶苑

1905-2002malekyo potteryBorn to a potter family in Gojozaka, Kyoto. Studied the basics of ceramics under his grandfather Murata Nagaosa from a young age. After studying Japanese painting in Yamamoto Shunkyo’s private painting school, worked for 2 years at Kyoto Ceramic Company.Continued to support his family business at first and made vessels. When it became difficult to obtain fuel in 1940, switched to making doll sculptures that could be fired with low fire power.Then made improvements for serious commercialization of these dolls. When it became possible to obtain sufficient fuel in 1955 after World War II, resumed production of pots, jars, (more…)

Mitsuke Masayasu 見附正康

1975-malekutani porcelainBorn in Kaga, Ishikawa prefecture, where he graduated from the Ishigawa Prefectural Kutani-ware Technical Training Institute in 1997 and was the recipient of the highest award at the graduation exhibition. Studied under Fukushima Buzan making red-painted Kutani-ware. Certified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2006. In the following year, he set up a workshop in his home and went independent. Recipient of the Technology Award at the Traditional Kutani-ware Crafts Exhibitions, as well as 3rd Prize from the Director of Manufacturing Industries Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry a (more…)

Mikuni Tan’yu 三国丹祐

Meiji period-Showa periodkyo potteryKyo-ware potter who became an apprentice of the first Miura Chikusen. He was well-regarded for the sencha tea-ware he made in the style of Chikusen, with his skills said to surpass even those of his master, and he was also known for producing white porcelain, cinnabar porcelain and engraved porcelain. (more…)

Miyata Kameju 宮田亀寿

Late Edo period-Meiji periodmalezuishi potteryBorn in the late Edo period in Kyoto. Son of Miyata kumakichiro (an apprentice of Wake Kitei), a potter at Gojozaka who contributed considerably to the founding of Kyoto’s blue-white ceramics industry. He learned the techniques involved with blue-white ceramics from his father and remained active working with this form under the name Furoken from the end of the Edo period into the Meiji period. In the first year of Meiji (1868), he was invited by Wakayama Zuishi-yaki to produce blue-white porcelain, where he contributed to the development of other potters. Many of the designs on (more…)

Mito Koho 水戸弘峯

1928-?kyo potteryBegan his training working with pottery molds in Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, in 1947. Started up production of Kiyomizu-ware in Imakumano, Higashiyama, Kyoto, in 1952 and established Mito Ceramics Factory at Sennyuji Temple in 1956. Moved to the Shimizu Pottery Collective in 1973 and received the Kyoto City Traditional Industrial Technology Achievement Award in 1988. Known for producing tableware, sake sets, tea set, vases and other ceramics in the Kiyomizu style. (more…)

Mizuno Koho 水埜香甫

Late Edo period-Meiji periodA potter from the workshop of Kanzan Denshichi renowned for Koho’s outstanding drawing and painting, particularly of flowers, birds and people. Denshichi was awarded silver medals at both the Japanese First National Industrial Exhibition in 1877 and Paris Exposition Universelle in 1879, both of which for works said to have been painted by Koho. After going independent, Koho frequently painted porcelain that had been fired in other workshops. (more…)

Mizuno Masashi 水野雅之

1957-malemino potteryDedicated ceramics artist who succeeded to the Yozan kiln as third generation. Used a cellar kiln to fire tea-ware that preserved Komino traditional forms such as Shino, Murasaki-shino, Kizeto, Kuro-oribe, Oribe, and Seto-kuro. Primarily focuses on solo exhibitions held at galleries and department stores nationwide. (more…)

Mishima Kimiyo 三島喜美代

1932-femaleFirst exhibited her work in the Sculpture Dividsion of the Dokuritsuten Exhibition and continued to exhibit at the same exhibition until 1969, winning the Suda Award, Dokuritsu Award, and other honors in that time. Exhibited at the International Ceramics Exhibition from 1972 to 1980 (winning the Gold Medal in 1974), as well as the Japan International Art Exhibition in 1974, 11th Contemporary Japanese Art Exhibition in 1975 (Honorable Mention Award), Contemporary Crafts Artist Exhibition in 1978, Contemporary Art and Humor Exhibition in 1980, and others. Has since been active since that time in various public and trade exhibitions, winning the (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 8th 八代 三輪休雪

1839-1921malehagi potteryReal name Dorosuke, worked under the name Setsuzan. He was the son of Gentaemon Toshioki, 7th generation head of the Hagi-ware producing Miwa family. Succeeded his father as 8th generation Kyusetsu in 1865. Transferred the family to the 9th generation Setsudo in 1896 when he retired. Aside from his work as a potter, he was a loyal member of the Kiheitai militia under the Choshu samurai Takasugi Shinsaku during the Bakumatsu period, fighting in support of the Emperor against the Tokugawa shogunate. (more…)

Mizuno Yukiyoshi 水野幸喜

1909-?maleAsahi-te kiln. After retiring at the age of 70, he aspired to make ceramics, beginning studies at a cultural center for about one year before learning on his own how to make leaf marked Tenmoku ceramics. Recipient of the Seto Citizens’ Exhibition Award, City Council Chairman’s Award, Board of Education Award, and other honors. (more…)

Miyagawa Chohei (Makuzu Chozo 2nd) 宮川長平 (ニ代 真葛長造)

?-1860malemushiake potterymakuzu potteryBorn the eldest son of Miyagawa Chozo, founder of Makuzu-ware, his younger brother became the first Makuzu Kozan. Records show him working in the Mushiake kiln with his father until his father died and he inherited the family name as 2nd generation Chozo, but he died just three months after that, meaning that he left very few posthumous works behind. His work area, seal, and boxes were all the same as the work of his father. His eldest son, Hannosuke, followed the 2nd generation Miyagawa Kozan. (more…)