Japanese potters

Hattori Gyozan 服部暁山

Mid-Edo Period-Meiji Eraawata potteryIn 1711, Ichimonjiya Chubei (Hattori Gyozan) started a kiln in Awata, Rakuto in 1711. Received the Gyozan name in 1805 after being permitted to enter Shoren-in Awata Palace as a commissioned potter. The names of Ichimonjiya for the shop, Chubei for the popular name, and Gyozan for the artist name were inherited thereafter, as ceramics were produced until the 6th generation Gyozan. However, the kiln was closed in 1877. The artist name of Gyozan was given to Omiya Chobei, the ceramic merchant in Kiyomizu-Gojo and friend. In addition, around 1884 an individual named Namura Kyujiro made ceramics (more…)

Hattori Koren 服部香蓮

1850-?femaleFemale artist. Started business in Tokyo in 1877 and produced tea sets, brush cleaners, and incense burners by hand.Also excelled at sculptures of lotus flowers and females. Made a name for herself overseas also, but is said to have passed away due to illness.There is also an anecdote that she was the kept mistress of (the 1st generation) Miyagawa Kozan and went under the name of “Tama” after cutting off her hair and pretending to be a nun. (more…)

Hara Taeko 林妙子

1961-femaleWon awards at the Traditional Craft New Works Exhibition and Traditional Craft Exhibition. Also held private exhibitions at the Fujinoya Utsunomiya Gallery, the Mitsukoshi in Nihombashi, and other venues.Produced creative tableware, sake vessels, and tea sets. (more…)

Hara Kenji 原憲司

1947-malemino potteryAfter studying under Kato Takuo, independently researched pottery fragments of Ko-Mino ware and produced works, with a focus on Kizeto ware.Also produced Shino, Black Oribe ware, and Shino ware. Mainly left masterpieces of vessels, such as tea bowls, sake vessels, and pots. Held numerous private exhibitions at Ginza Kuroda Touen gallery and other venues. (more…)

Hayama Yuki 葉山有樹

1961-malearita porcelainStarted training at the local Imari ware kiln in 1975 for 10 years. Started a kiln in Yamauchi, Saga in 1985 and became independent. Held his first private exhibition at the ANA Hotel in 1990. Presented works at galleries across Japan thereafter.Also exhibited at the Uraku Main Gallery in 1991 and held an exhibition at the German Culture Center in 1998.Engaged in elaborate paintings using perspective methods that make the paintings appear to be of a solid color from afar but elaborate from up close.Works include incense burners, vases, and decorative plates. (more…)

Hashimoto Jogaku 1st 初代 橋本城岳

1907-2003malekyo potteryBorn at the foot of Somayama Castle in Nanjo, Fukui. Experienced the ceramic industry in the former Manshu Province at the age of 33.After returning to Japan, studied seriously under Inoue Shunpo, the traditional artisan from Kyoto, starting in 1945. Started Narutaki kiln in 1955 and became independent. Moved to Gojozaka in 1957 to create ceramics.Style was Kyo ware. Excelled at copying Ninsei’s works with colored paintings in particular. Developed tea bowls. (more…)

Hayashi Koyo 林紅陽

1941-hagi potteryFrom Hagi, Yamaguchi. Studied under the 11th generation Saka Koraizaemon of the main Hagi ware kiln around the age of 25. Repeatedly trained in traditional Hagi ware thereafter and started a kiln in Nobase, Misumi, Otsu in 1974. (more…)

Hayashi Eiji 林英仁

1931-malemino potteryBorn as the grandson (1st son of the 1st daughter) of Kato Juemon, the designated Gifu prefectural intangible cultural property, and studied under Juemon.Created Ko-Mino ware, Shino ware, and Kizeto ware tea bowls and tableware. (more…)

Hayashi Tan’yu 林淡幽

1945-maleFrom Kyoto. After graduating from university, received ceramic training from his uncle, the 2nd generation Hayashi Enzan, and became independent in 1971 under the artist name of Tanyu. Also received the name of Gozan kiln for his kiln from Takeda Ekijyu, the chief priest of Kenninji, in 1973.Trained further, such as by studying tea ceremonies and tea bowls under the guidance of master Tachibana Daiki of Daitoku-ji starting in 1977. Range of works is based on Kyo ware and includes colored paintings and Ninsei copies.Works are mainly presented at private exhibitions. (more…)

Hara Gozan 原呉山

1827-1897maleExcelled at waka poetry, haiku poetry, tea ceremonies, painting, writing, and a wide range of other talents. Built a deep friendship with Eiraku Wazen when he came to restore Kutani ware. Further, was deeply influenced by Aoki Mokubei.Started a kiln at the foot of Mount Utatsu in Kanazawa around the Bunkyu era (1861-1864) to begin creating Raku ware. Then started a kiln near Dentoin in Uguisudani in 1880 (separate from Uguisudani ware) and gathered potters to create copies of Raku ware, Nanban ware, Cochin ware, Bizen ware, Iga ware, Gohon ware, and other kilns.Also started a nishiki kiln in Yamashiro (more…)

Haruna Shigeharu 春名繁春

1848-1907malekutani porcelainFirst studied Japanese painting under Sasaki Senryu, the painter serving Kaga Province, and then ceramic painting under Toda Kyokuzan to master the crafts.Then studied under the Kano school Japanese painters Abe Hekikai and Marunaka Magohei to further improve his painting technique. During the Meiji era, his painted Kutani ware works were selected for the Vienna World’s Fair, the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, and other exhibitions.In Yokohama, he worked to paint Satsuma ware to be exported. He was appointed as an instructor at Tokyo Industrial School in 1889.Furthermore, he assisted Wagener in making Asahi ware as his painter. He thrived as (more…)

Hayashi Mokuu 林沐雨

1901-1991maleStudied ceramic techniques under his father, started working at the Imperial Household Agency Article Manufacturing Site in 1921, and became independent in 1926.Also studied for 5 years under the 5th generation Kiyomizu Rokubey starting in 1928. Later started making ceramics at his own kiln under the artist name of Mokuu.Certified as a Traditional Craft Technique Preserver in 1946 after World War II. His works also received high praise at exhibitions and trade fairs in Japan, New York, Germany, London, and various countries in Europe and the Americas. There are many fans of his work in Japan and overseas. His bonsai (more…)

Nomura Ichiro 野村一郎

1953-malebizen potteryAfter studying under Kaneshige Kosuke, fired the first works in his kiln in 1991. Presented works at private exhibitions, with a focus on the Ginza Kuroda Touen gallery.Presented Ikkaku Kun, the comical painted Bizen figurines, as a new work and has received more and more recognition as an unconventional Bizen ware artist. (more…)

Nonaka Yatsuo 能仲ヤツヲ

1933-2008Formed the Youth Artist Society while studying in university. Formed the VIVAN group exhibition in 1955 after graduating. Presented works at both exhibitions, the Yomiuri Independent Exhibition, Modern Art Exhibition, Modern Japanese Fine Art Exhibition and other exhibitions thereafter.Started the Seimeikai Exhibition in 1975 and exhibited works every year. Also held private exhibitions every year, with a focus on the Sogo department stores across Japan.Developed works with the theme of clowns. Also started producing ceramic works from the 1970s and developed artistry on the same level as his painted works. (more…)

Noga Kazan 納賀花山

1887-1959kutani porcelainFrom Isurugi, Oyabe, Toyama. Started Kazando in Katamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa in 1905 and hired potters to carry out production and sales in-house. Later expanded sales overseas and exported Kutani ware. Also received Uguisudani kiln from Tomita Tadao in 1936 and expanded the scale of production. (more…)

Nunami Rozan 沼波弄山

1718-1777banko potterymaleBorn as the child of Nunami Kichiyoshi, the trader from Kuwana. Liked tea gatherings since his childhood. Built a kiln in his home and started making ceramics at an early age. Also received permission and started a kiln in Komukai around the age of 20, starting to make ceramics seriously.Carried on the family business after his father’s passing but started a kiln in the Koume villa with approval from the government after moving to Edo.Rozan’s works are mainly called Ko-Banko ware or Rozan Banko ware. He was well-known as the founder of Banko ware, and his techniques were recognized (more…)

Nukagawa Seisho 糠川清章

Late Meiji Era-malekutani porcelainEntered the school of the 2nd generation Tokuda Yasokichi. Mainly produced sculptures of lions, humans, the Zodiac, and other lucky charms as a modern Kutani ware artist. Certified as a member of the Association of Craft Artists in 1962. (more…)

Numata Ichiga 沼田一雅

1874-1954maleFirst studied under the sculptor Takenouchi Hisakazu and made a living as a sculptor. Later traveled to France in 1903 and 1925 to study painting, sculpture, and ceramics. After returning to Japan, exhibited ceramic sculptures at exhibitions, mainly at Kanten exhibitions hosted by the Japanese government, and created a new genre in the world of ceramics. Many of his works were destroyed by fire during the Great Kanto earthquake. (more…)

Nishioka Yoshihiro 西岡良弘

1954-malekaratsu potteryBorn as the 1st son of Nishioka Koju. Studied under his father and started making ceramics in 1972. Also participated in the Goyokai led by Arakawa Toyozo as a member starting in 1977.Held a trio exhibition with Tahara Kenji (presently Tobei) and Kawase Takeshi in 1981, a tableware exhibition at Akasaka Green Gallery in 1986, a private exhibition at the Mitsukoshi in Nihombashi in 1987, a private exhibition at the Matsuzakaya Main Shop in Nagoya in 1992, and a father and son exhibition at Osaka Dojima Gallery in 200. Mainly presented works at private and group exhibitions. Produced tableware, (more…)

Nishikawa Masaru 西川勝

1962-malekyo potteryFrom Kyoto. Born as the 1st son of the potter Nishikawa Minoru and pursued pottery after graduating from university.Was selected for the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition and Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1987 and repeatedly selected for and won awards at both exhibitions, the Kyoten Exhibition, the Modern Ceramic Exhibition, the Japan Ceramic Exhibition and other exhibitions thereafter. (more…)