Japanese potters

Fujiwara Rakuzan 2nd 二代 藤原楽山

1910-1996malebizen potteryFrom Okayama Prefecture. 3rd son of the 1st generation Fujiwara Rakuzan and started making ceramics by studying under his father around the age of 20. Inherited the title of 2nd generation Fujiwara Rakuzan upon his father’s passing. Had absolutely no interest in status, fame, or wealth, having a complete artisan spirit and moody personality, and is said to have only made ceramics when he was in the mood to do so. There are few remaining works, which have become valuable.Work style included Ao-Bizen coloring created by his father, the 1st generation, and produced incense burners, tea sets, and teacups. (more…)

Fujii Tatsukichi 藤井達吉

1881-1964maleFrom Aichi Prefecture. An artist who thrived from the Taisho to Showa eras in various fields including Japanese painting, cloisonne ware, metalworking, bamboo-working, paper-working, lacquering, embroidery, dyeing, writing, waka poetry, and other crafts in addition to pottery. (more…)

Fukuchi Yuya 福地幽哉

1868-1926maleraku potteryFrom Ako, Hyogo. Joined the Fukuchi family as an adopted child and started creating Raku ware in Yokkaichi, Mie in 1917.Contributed when transferring the tea room (Hanshoan) in Nagoya of the Takakura Hisada family from Kyoto to the tea room (Jirakuan) in Tokyo of Kume Nobushige, President of Tokyo Gas. Also started a gas kiln in Tokyo at the time.Known as the first person to create ceramics in a gas kiln in Japan. (more…)

Hirono Toshihiko 廣野俊彦

1961-malekyo potteryRepeatedly made ceramics under Kondo Yuzo and Kondo Hiroshi. Excelled in painting with natural zaffre glaze, as well as overglazes and other works based on Chinese porcelain. Selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition for the first time in 1996 and won Special Selection the following year. Started a studio in Gojo, Kyoto in 1998 and has held private exhibitions every year. (more…)

Higaki Seishi 檜垣青子

1949-femaleraku potteryFemale artist of modern Raku ware whose grandfather is Yorigami Sohaku, the founder of the Unge ware kiln, and father is Higaki Soraku of Raku ware.When the wife of Higaki Soraku took on the name of the 2nd generation Soraku in 1985, received the artist name of Seishi from master Izumi Soko of the Urasenke school and started making ceramics.Created tea-things. (more…)

Hirosawa Hiromi 廣澤洋海

1945-malehagi potteryFrom Yamaguchi Prefecture. Selected for the 1st Art Exhibition in 1973 for works created while doing other work. Completely left the life of an office worker in 1985 at the age of 40 and focused exclusively on ceramics. Pursued open work and craft techniques. Mainly produced incense burners, such as the “Shichiho Kagome Sukashibori Koro (seven treasures woven-bamboo open work incense burner).” (more…)

Hisamatsu Seiichi 久松誠一

1944-maleFrom Tokyo. Graduated from Musashino Art University.Repeatedly exhibited at and selected for the Kofukai Exhibition, Ueno Royal Museum Painting Grand Prize Exhibition, Tokyo Central Museum Grand Prize Exhibition, Mainichi Newspaper Literature and Craft Exhibition Through Donations from Notable Artists, Yomiuri Newspaper Exhibition of Works by Notable Artists, Asahi Newspaper Charity Art Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Held private exhibitions at Mitsukoshi and Seibu department stores and other venues across Japan.Created characteristic works in ceramics and writing, in addition to painting. (more…)

Hineno Sakuzo 日根野作三

1901-1984malemino potteryWorked at the Kyoto National Ceramic Experimental Institute since the end of World War II and researched designs for new vessels. After retirement, endeavored to instruct the youth about ceramic techniques in Toki, Tokoname, Nagoya, Yokkaichi, Shigaraki, and other locations as a free ceramic designer. Guided Tsukamoto Kaiji, who became a living national treasure, and numerous other excellent potters. Hamada Shoji even wrote in his book that 80% of modern ceramic designs at the time were influenced by him.Preferred to create Raku ware, such as Kuro Raku teabowls. (more…)

Hino Atsushi 日野厚

1886-1947maleAfter graduating from the Faculty of Industrial Design at the Tokyo Industrial Teacher Education Institute, worked at Aichi Prefectural Ceramic School from 1911 to 1916.After retiring, established Seto Design Research Institute with colleagues and graduates of the school.Participated in the establishment of Okura Magobei’s Okura Touen and was appointed as its 1st generation manager in 1920. Continuously created new modern designs.Served as an instructor at the Faculty of Design at Tokyo Polytechnic University starting in 1922 and endeavored to nurture successors. Served as a judge at the Commerce and Industry Exhibition and other exhibitions in his later years. (more…)

Hisatomi Yohei 久富与平

1832-1871malearita porcelainBorn as the 6th son of Hisatomi Yohei Masaoki, the representative wealthy merchant of Arita. Later inherited the Hisatomi family fortune as the adopted child of Masayasu, the 1st son of Masaoki, given that he had no children.Received the store name of Zoshuntei from Nabeshima Naomasa, the 10th generation feudal lord of the Saga Domain, as he earned the trust of Naomasa and Nabeshima Naosuke, the 10th generation feudal lord of the Ogi Domain, in particular. Continuously researched new techniques, such as by researching glazes, and endeavored to establish works for export through trial and error. Also, when the (more…)

Higuchi Taikei 樋口大桂

1955-malehagi potteryFrom Tokyo. Decided to engage in ceramics after being moved when seeing the works of Miwa Kyuwa and Arakawa Toyozo at the Traditional Craft Exhibition while in high school. Advanced to vocational school and visited kilns across Japan. Later trained for roughly 10 years at a Hagi ware studio. Started a kiln in 1985 and became independent.Repeatedly exhibited at and selected for the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, the Seibu Craft Exhibition, the Modern Tea Forms Exhibition, Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Also received attention at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and other exhibitions. Recently won the Yamaguchi Branch (more…)

Hisada Koho 久田耕甫

1751-1820maleFrom Kyoto. Became the adopted child of the 7th generation Sosan of the Hisada family of Ryogaecho from the Tsukuda family, the wealthy merchants through cotton trading, and became the 8th generation.Also a master of tea ceremonies and ceramics. Left excellent works, such as Tokoname ware. (more…)

Hiraga Gennai 平賀源内

1726-1779malegennai potteryAfter visiting Nagasaki, Kyoto, Osaka, and other places, studied herbalism under Tamura Genyu in Edo.Thrived as an herbalist, Gesaku writer, and Joruri writer. Introduced the Elekiter (static electricity generator), oil paintings, and other forms of Western culture. Demonstrated his brilliance by presenting fireproof cloth, Gennai ware, Gesaku, and Joruri puppets. (more…)

Hangai teishin 16th 十六代 半谷貞辰

1952-malesoma pottery He is the 16th generation potter of the Hangai Kiln.The Kiln is a descendant of the branch family of Hangai Kyukan, a warrior of the Soma clan in the Genroku period (1688–1704) , the founder of Ohori Soma ware.In addition to the traditional Soma ware of blue cracks, painting of a running horse, and niju-yaki (by fitting the inside and outside of the vessel before firing, the entire vessel becomes a double-layered structure), he and his wife Kikue were making new designs with camellia and wild flower motifs, but the climbing kiln was completely destroyed in the Great (more…)

Hayashi Kuniyoshi 林邦佳

1949-maleStudied Japanese painting under Nishimura Shojiro in 1967 and enrolled in the Faculty of Sculpture at Nihon University College of Art the following year. Later dropped out and studied abroad in various countries in Asia and the United States. Started working at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Nagoya Industrial Experimental Institute in 1973, researched the science behind Chinese antique porcelain, and started a kiln in Suhara, Seto in 1975 to become independent. Cooperated in the establishment of MOA Mexico Ceramic School in 1982. Activities are focused on private exhibitions. Won the 2004 Japan Ceramic Society President’s (more…)

Hayashi Kyosuke 林恭助

1962-maleEntered Toki Municipal Ceramic Experimental Institute in 1985 as a trainee. Selected for the 30th Ceramic Design Competition the following year. Studied under the living human treasure Kato Kozo in 1989 and produced a ceramic tile as the symbolic monument for the “Chubu no Takumikan” World Design Exposition in the same year. Started a kiln in his home and became independent. Selected for the 20th Tokai Traditional Craft Exhibition and won the Best Work Award at the 43rd Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition. Also won numerous awards at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition and other exhibitions. Succeeded in recreating the Yohen (more…)

Bando Meizan 阪東明山

?-1875koto porcelainMoved to Kyoto and studied Kiyomizu ware. Was recommended by Kanzan Denshichi to restore Koto ware for the Hikone Domain and became a Koto potter. However, returned to Kyoto after the abolition of the domain system in 1871 and worked as a potter for Kanzan. Adopted the artist name of Akeyama as his surname the following year and assumed the name of Akeyama Hatsutaro. (more…)

Hatta Sokoku 八田蘇谷

Late Meiji Era-?maleThe 1st generation Sokoku was from Kanazawa. Received training from Ohi Choju, the master of Ohi ware. Later became a pupil of the 1st generation Suwa Sozan. Received a kanji character from his instructor to take the artist name of Sokoku. Researched many forms of celadon, such as from Tenryuji Temple, Korai ware, Juko, Shichikan, and Tobi Seiji.The 2nd generation Sokoku (1930-) had the real name of Shinji and made ceramics by succeeding his father, the 1st generation Sokoku. Also studied under Kusube Yaichi in addition to his father and participated in the Seitokai led by Kusube. (more…)

Hara Shoun 原祥雲

1939-?maleReal name is Kenji. After researching Korai ware copies, Hagi ware, Izumo ware, and various other kilns, received the artist name of Shoun from master Hirata Seiko from Tenryuji Temple in 1981.Created ceramics with a focus on tea bowls with Hai-yu ash glaze, color changes during firing, and Mishima. (more…)