Japanese potters

Higuchi Bizan 樋口備山

1921-?Aspired to work in ceramics for over 30 years. Attracted from the start to the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan, particularly Bizen, he pursued an original style based on Bizen-ware and other traditional influences. Primarily focused on hand-twisted flower vases, sake-ware and teaware. (more…)

Higuchi Shoichi 樋口彰一

1947-maleBorn in Nayoro, Hokkaido. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Sophia University. Later moved to Mashiko to become a research student at Tsukamoto Ceramics Factory. Studied under Mototo Shiro. Built the Honsuzugashira Kiln in Motegi-cho in 1975. Produces original goods for daily use, focused on black glaze, bran-white glaze, ash glaze, copper glaze, persimmon glaze and pouring. set of 2 ssake cups and sake bottle 栃木県芳賀郡茂木町飯2075 (more…)

Hikida Kazuomi 匹田一臣

1958-maleBorn in Usuki, Oita prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Design at Kyushu Sangyo University. Later studied in Arita. After training at Kimoto Fukuizumi, worked as a shape designer at Arita Design Office. Selected for the Kyushu Craft Exhibition, later a member. Focused primarily on modern-style accessories based on plaster modeling. (more…)

Toho Shisokichi 東方四十吉

1919-?kutani porcelainStudied under Tokuda Yasokichi. Judge and member of steering committee for the Creative Art Society, Hokuka Award, other awards. Selected for Nitten, Ichimizukai Exhibition, Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, others. Known especially for his Cochin-ware ceramics, mainly focusing on flower vases and incense burners. (more…)

Higashi Fujiaki 東冨士明

1928-?malekutani porcelainSelected for many Japanese traditional craft exhibition prizes. Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association. Recipient of the Creative Art Exhibition New Face Award, Member Award, Steering Committee, other honors. Selected for the Ishikawa Exhibition. (more…)

Higashi Tadao 東忠雄

1930-?malekutani porcelainStudied under Kutani Sozan. Selected for the Kutani Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Member of the Sozokai Steering Committee. plate 7,350 JPY 石川県能美郡寺井町佐野 (more…)

Higashi kuniaki 東邦昭

1941-1992malekutani porcelainSecond son of Asahiyama Kutani, former head of the Kutani kiln. Graduated from Ishikawa Prefecture Crafts High School and later from the Kyoto Institute of Technology. Studied under Onishi Masataro. Recipient of Prefectural Traditional Crafts Exhibition Excellence Award, other honors. Member of Issuikai and the Japan Kogei Association. Primarily focused on quail’s crest kneading, other techniques. (more…)

Higa Nobutada 比嘉信忠

1944-maletsuboya potteryGraduated from the Department of Arts and Crafts at Ryukyu University in 1968 and the Department of Ceramics at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1972. Studied under Fujimoto Yoshimichi, Tamura Koichi, and Asano Yo. Returned home to work in the Faculty of Education at the Ceramics Research Institute at Ryukyu University. Retired in 1980 and went independent, opening the Yanbaru kiln. Recipient of the Japan New Craft Exhibition Award, Okinawa Prefectural Craft Design Exhibition Center President’s Award, Prefectural Craft Exhibition Honorable Mention, Excellent Award. Held solo exhibitions at Nago City Expo, Okinawa Bussan Center. Primarily focused on kneading, (more…)

Bannai Yuji 坂内雄二

1951-maleBorn in Niigata prefecture. Graduated from the Kyoto Institute of Technology. Trained in Kyoto, studying under Tokuriki Sonsaburo. Built a kiln in 1979. Recipient of the New Crafts Association Honorable Mention. Primarily focused on inlay, celadon and kakiotoshi ceramics. teabowl 1,600 JPY 倉敷市亀山604 (more…)

Bando Toyomitsu 坂東豊光

1947-maleStudied under his father Toko, founder of the Daisetsu Kiln. Trained at Kasama Ceramics Mentoring Center in Ibaraki prefecture in 1968. Returned home in 1970 to make ceramics working under his father. Recipient of the Hokkaido Bikyo Exhibition Asahi Newspaper Award, Hokkaido Superintendent of Education Award, Hokkaido Beauty Association Friendship Award (and member). Member of the Hokkaido Ceramics Society and Ninokuchi Man Fine Arts Association. Participated in an exhibition of the emerging second generation at the National Theater Gallery in 1980 and a ceramics exhibition in Asahikawa commemorating the 15th anniversary of ceramic art in 1983. Invited to participate at (more…)

Bando Toko 坂東陶光

1911-2001maleStudied under Matsubara Toko and Kato Toyuki. Opened Daisetsu Kiln in Asahikawa in 1945, which he later handed over to his son in 1980, opening another kiln called Setsuen Kiln in the atelier house village of Yubari. Member of the Hokkaido Fine Arts Association. Recipient of the Asahikawa Culture Honorable Mention, Hokkaido First Phase Development Achievement Governor’s Award, Asahikawa City Cultural Award, International Arts and Culture Award, others. Held solo exhibitions in Sapporo, Hawaii, others. Frequently invited to exhibit work internationally. (more…)

Banura Shiro 番浦史郎

1941-2001maleMade ceramics using Rinpa-style decoration techniques based on Otowa Yamabo in Iga-Ueno. Graduated from Kyoto Arts and Crafts University. Studied under Kawamura Sotaro. Held solo exhibitions at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Takashimaya, Ikebukuro Tobu, Umeda Modern Art Exhibition. Worked on ceramic walls at Nikkei Inc., others. (more…)

Hariu Kenba 4th 四代 針生乾馬

1927-2016maletsutsumi potteryTook over as the 4th generation head of the Tsutsumi-ware kiln that dates back to the early Edo period. Carried on the traditions of master craftsman Miura Kenya from the Bakumatsu era at the end of the Edo period. Warmly-received Urasenke style. Member, judge, etc. of Sankikai. (more…)

Yoshita Minori 吉田美統

1938-malekutani porcelainliving national treasureBorn to a family with generations of gold leaf Kutani ware artists, he worked as a pottery artist apprentice under his grandfather after the early death of his father, and succeeded the three generation Kinzangama workshop in 1951.He was first selected to the Ishikawa Prefecture Art Exhibition in 1964, and flourished in many shows thereafter, appearing at the Issuikai Exhibition in 1978, being displayed at the Japan Industrial Arts Exhibition in 1974, winning the Issuikai award in 1978, receiving the 1982 member award, honorable mention at the 1984 Japan Industrial Arts Exhibition, being awarded the Takamatsunomiya memorial (more…)

Yamamoto Toshu 山本陶秀

1906-1994malebizen potteryliving national treasureAfter graduating from elementary school, he began pottery in 1921 as a Bizen-ware pottery apprentice, then in 1933 he started his own independent kiln. In 1938 he became a student of Kusube Yaichi and trained in modeling and handling of the potter’s wheel.In 1939 he won the Excellence Award at the Art Crafts Exhibition of Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu Regions, and in 1948 he was certified as a preserver of his characteristic technique which was based on the potter’s wheel technique he learned from Yaichi, and had an added feeling of speed and sharpness. In 1954 he (more…)

Yamada Jozan 3rd 三代 山田常山

1924-2005maletokoname potteryliving national treasureBorn the eldest son of the second generation Yamada Jozan, he studied under his father and grandfather, who was the first generation Jozan, while attending school, in order to inherit the family business.In 1947, after the death of the first generation, his father succeeded the name as Jozan, and Minoru took on the name his father used to have, Sho-jozan (means little Jozan).In 1958, he was chosen for a prize for the first time in the Fifth Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, and he received the Grand Prix at the Brussels International Exposition in the same year. After (more…)

Yamada Jozan 2nd 二代 山田常山

1897-1961maletokoname potteryHis real name was Makoto.He learned the potter’s wheel from Jozan I and seal engraving from Yoshiwara Kasyu, his maternal grandfather.He learned drawing from Yoshida Kinji (pen name – Ichiha), the principal of the Tokoname pottery school, and took the pen name Futaha.He changed his name to Kojozan in the middle of the Taisho period, then he took on the name of Jozan II after the death of Jozan I, and he fully demonstrated his traditional techniques.Jozan II’s teapots also have engravings by celebrated calligraphy and artists.Certified as a National Designated Technical Preservationist in 1944. (more…)

Yamada Jozan 1st 初代 山田常山

1868-1942maletokoname potteryHis real name was Hamajiro.He studied the craft of pottery at Ina Sosuke’s ceramic factory.After that, he refined his technique at Koie Hojyu’s Mt. Kanashima (ceramic factory) and became independent after several years.Since then, he devoted himself to making teapots with a potter’s wheel.He took pride in his graceful Chinese-style teapots and he is known for leaving behind numerous masterpieces that are fitting for a master craftsman. (more…)

Yoshiwara Kasyu 吉原葭州

1850-1919maletokoname potteryHe was a Tokoname ware artisit. Formerly feudal retainer or warrior. His real name was Yoshiwara Chuken.Pen names include Kasyu, Hoga, and Fujiyu.Since his daughter became the wife of Yamada Jozan I, he provided Jozan’s pottery works with his Chinese character engravings and landscape paintings. Almost all of Kasyu’s works are made by hand and he is known for works such as teapots and incense containers shaped like vegetables. www.wings-jp.com山田常山系図｜人間国宝　三代　山田常山　公式サイト｜ (more…)

Tsukigata Nahiko 月形那比古

1923-2006maleshino potteryThe founder of OnishinoBorn to a father who was a stone sculptor, and a mother who was a flower arranger, Nahiko’s artistic sensibilities were nurtured from a young age. After graduating university, he encountered the pottery of Toyozo Arakawa, and was profoundly moved. This inspired him to recreate ancient Momoyama period kilns in Ooya, Gifu Prefecture (The Kiln of Heaven, The Kiln of Earth) and begin making ceramics. He also built kilns at Gotomaki Pass (The Kiln of Heart, The Kiln of Man), with 4 in existence. From the beginning he presented mainly solo exhibitions, with over 200 domestic (more…)