1831-1907
male
seto porcelain
Kawamoto Masukichi was born the third sun of Kato Yasuzaemon. He began his studies at Kato Yuji’s kiln, where he trained as a ceramic maker.
He later became the adopted son-in-law of Kawamoto Hansuke IV, and inherited the title of Kawamoto Hansuke V. In 1862, however, he yielded control of the family to his brother-in-law, Rokusaburo (the eldest son of Hansuke IV), branching off from the family. Afterward, he began ceramic work under the name Kawamoto Masukichi, working with trade ceramics primarily consisting of blue and white porcelain, and also creating works for exhibition, which ultimately earned him high praise both domestically and overseas.
He further established the company Jikosha in Tokyo and Seto to help expand the market, and was a pioneering figure among Seto export pottery companies, introducing plaster techniques, as well as utilizing prominent Japanese painters such as Oide Toko for porcelain painting to create eloquent works. The Kawamoto Masukichi kiln went on to continue porcelain making for three generations.
