1914-2001
male
kibi pottery
Born in Shigehira, Okayama prefecture. Graduated from the Ceramics Department of the Kyoto Industrial High School (currently Kyoto Institute of Technology) in 1937. After returning Kasaoka, studied making ceramics under Mizukawa Toyotaro (pen-name Hozan), first head of the Kibi-yaki kiln. Following military service during the war, studied under Kondo Yuzo and Uno Sango. Won first prize at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1959. Many more selections followed. Recipient of the Chugoku Chapter Exhibition Governor’s Award (and jury member). Member of Japan Kogei Association. Recipient of Kasaoka City Cultural Award, Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Education and Culture Achievement Award, Sanyo Newspaper Cultural Award, other honors. Primarily focused on tenmoku, celadon, cinnabar, Jun-ware, and yuriko ceramics.
Kibi pottery
It was started in 1905 by Mizukawa Hozan I in Mobira, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, and the first kiln was fired two years later. Toyoyama was from Okada Village, Kibi-gun (now Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City), and named his pottery “Kibi-yaki”.
He inherited the technique of Iwatani pottery, which was fired in the Hikino area of Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture from the Edo period to the latter half of the Meiji period.
