edo period

Eiraku Zengoro 14th Tokuzen 十四代 永楽善五郎 得全

1853-1909malekyo potteryEiraku Tokuzen. Eldest son of 12th generation (Wazen). Specialized in copying Ninsei’s painting as well as red painting. His painting was masculine and frank, unprecedented in the Eiraku family for generations, but not to a slipshod degree due to its use of more advanced technology. In the first year of Meiji (1868), Nishimura’s surname was abolished and replaced with Eiraku. Exhibited Eiraku-ware at the Vienna Expo in 1873 and also at the Philadelphia Expo in 1876, and won the Flower Crest Award. Also received awards for his water pitchers and incense containers at the 1878 Paris Expo and 1881 (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 13th Kyokuzen 十三代 永楽善五郎 曲全

1819-1883malekyo potteryRial name was Nishiyama Tosuke. From an early age, he was raised by Hozen and worked from the age of 8 years old. Working well with Wazen and Hozen as well as being active in the Omuro kiln and with Kutani-ware. Due to his efforts for the Eiraku family, he and Sozaburo (Kaizen) became the 13th generation to keep the tradition of Wazen alive. He was given the title Eiraku Kyokuzen. (more…)

Nishimura Sozen (Eiraku Zengoro 1st) 西村宗禅 (初代 永楽善五郎)

?-1558malekyo potteryGave himself the surname Nishimura because he lived in Nishinokyo Nishimura in Yamato province. At first, he was involved in delivering common equipment to Kasuga Shrine, which became his business, but this was recognized by Takeno Jo, tea-master at the time, for whom he made a clay stove, which is the foundation of the current clay stove known as the “Nara clay stove.” In his later years, he inherited the name Zengoro from the master of clay stoves Zengoro. (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 14th Myozen 十四代 永楽善五郎 妙全

1852-1927femalekyo potteryShe was Tokuzen’s wife. Following the death of Tokuzen, named herself Eiraku Zengoro XIV and made efforts to protect the family business, raising his son as Zengoro XV. Received the title “Myozen” in 1914 from Mitsui Takatoshi with boxes containing the work stamped with the seal of the 14th generation Tokuzen along with the letter Yu (悠) as written by Mitsui Takatoshi. Many of her works were Seisai Sosa’s taste, elegant, and feminine. (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 13th Kaizen 十三代 永楽善五郎 回全

1834-1876malekyo potteryOriginally the second son of the painter Sano Chokan, his real name was Zenjiro. He was sent to work with Hozen from the age of 13. Following that, he worked hard with Hozen and Wazen as a substitute for Hozen in his later years. He accompanied Wazen in the improvement of Omura-kiln and the revival of Kutani ware. Due to his contribution to the Eiraku family, he and Tosuke (Kyokuzen) became the 13th generation. He was given the title Eiraku Kaizen. Later split his house and named himself Nishimura Sozaburo. (more…)

Eiraku Zengoro 9th (Nishimura Sogen) 九代 永楽善五郎 (西村宗巌)

-1779kyo potteryBetween 3rd-9th generations, the Eiraku residence moved from Gojo-kami in Kurumayacho (around the time of 5th generation Soken) to Higashinotoin Gojo-shimo (from 5th generation Soken to 6th generation Sosada) and changing addresses several times from the latter years of Sosada to the time of Sojun before entering the eastern section of the current temple and deepening relations with Sansenke. (more…)

Utsumi Kichizo 内海吉造

1831-1885malekutani porcelainWorked as a factory manager at Abe Oumi Ceramics Factory. Exhibited decorative porcelain at the Philadelphia Centennial International Exposition in 1876. Awarded third prize at the Uchikoku Expo in 1881 for his kachosansui flower vase and confectionary bowl. Invented a technique for re-baking spots using Kutani-ware gold paint. After that, he went independent and established Ishun-sha company, where many ceramics artists studied and trained. (more…)

Uno Ninmatsu 宇野仁松

1864-1937maleStudied under Seifu Yohei (3rd generation) before going independent. Pursued the learning of techniques not known within Kyo-ware at that time, such as Chinese cinnabar glaze and Turkish matte glaze, helping to lay the foundation for modernization in Kyoto in terms of overseas trade. Also famous as the father of the Uno Souji (1st generation) and Uno Sango, and as the mentor of modern sculptor Isamu Noguchi. (more…)

Urano Kenya 浦野乾哉

Late Edo period-1923maleLived in Imado, Asakusa. Studied pottery under Miura Kenya. Exhibited at the Paris World Exposition in 1900, after which he moved to Iriya where he was adopted by Ogata Keisuke, descendant of Ogata Kenzan. Later became the sixth generation Kenzan Ogata. Among his apprentices are such masters such as Bernard Leach, Tomimoto Kenkichi, Uchijima Hokuro, and others. (more…)

Uemura Hakuo 上村白鴎

1754-1832maletokoname potteryKnown for Tokoname-ware. Succeeded in firing idotsu (well cylinders) whole, a method still in use today. Also demonstrated his talent in creating tea-ware and figurines using hand-twisting techniques. Many enthusiasts even today revere Uemura as one of the most renowned master craftsmen of the Edo period. He was also well known as a singer and poet. Later in life, he was invited to the han domain’s Ofuke kiln where he engaged in making ceramics with Hirasawa Kuro. (more…)

Uguisudani Shohei 鶯谷庄平

1830-1912maleWork at the Kanazawa Town Hall as a young man, but after the abolition of the feudal han domain system, he learned how to make Raku ware and tea ceremony ceramics working under Hara Gozan. He moved to Kyoto in 1977 where he worked at Gojozaka, returning Kanazawa two or three years later. After handing his kiln over to Nozaki Sakichi in 1985, he built a small kiln in Yuki. His work is said to be an excellent imitation of the mid-Edo period artist Aoki Mokubei, who favored the Kyo-ware style. (more…)

Akai Tonen 3rd 三代 赤井陶然

1818-1889maletokoname potteryExhibited Nanban wares and vases at the 1st National Expo in 1877, and he exhibited Nanban reproductions and vases at the 2nd National Expo in 1881. He was adept at reproducing Nanban wares such as tea sets, sake sets, and vases.Akai Tonen I lived 1762-1829, II lived 1796-1858, IV lived 1843-1914. (more…)

Asai Shusai 浅井周斎

1720-1800malenanzan potteryAfter retiring from a position as a wealthy merchant by the name of Kawasakiya Genbe, he established a kiln on Yamashiro Yawatashi Hatogamine Nanzan in 1758 and opened Nanzan Ware. (more…)

Akamaru Setsuzan 赤丸雪山

Late Edo Period-?kutani porcelainA Kaga Province potter from the end of the Edo period through the Meiji period, established a workshop with Takayama Suzan in 1865, and gathered local Kutani ware potters to produce Akae and Kinran tea wares.In 1872, opened their own workshop and hired more than 40 potters and painters to produce and sell works under the name Setsuzan-do. (more…)

Kano Tanrei 狩野探令

1857-1931malekutani porcelainReai name is Araki Jotaro. Born to a Tozawa domain leader in Dewa Province.He went to Edo to study under the Kajibashi Kano family’s student Kakikawa Ensai, and he also studied the Kano school paintings under the family’s teenage Kano Tanbi. Afterwards, he was active in exhibitions like the Japan Art Association Exhibition.During the time that the 1907 Ministry of Education Bunten Exhibition was held, he participated in the Society of Orthodox Schools, becoming their executive secretary. He also took part in the formation of the Kano Association with Kano Tadanobu, Okakura Shusui, and Oka Fuho.In addition to his (more…)

Asami Gorosuke 浅見五郎助

1829-1895malekyo potteryBorn as the second son of Higuchi Munentaka, the feudal lord of the Settsu Takatsuki Domain, he was later adopted by the Asami family in Kyoto and became a potter under the guidance of Rokubei II.He opened a kiln in Gojozaka, Kyoto in 1852, wherein he produced utensils and tea wares such as porcelain and pottery teacups, confectionery bowls, and drinking vessels.He was particularly adept at duplicating Shonzui works, and naturally began calling himself “Shonzui Gorosuke.” From then on, the name Gorosuke and his style of pottery became a representation of Kyoto wares from generation to generation, even until (more…)

Hirasawa Kuro 平沢九朗

1772-1840maleseto potterySamurai and ceramic artist during the late Edo Era.Born in 1772, he was a member of the Owari Nagoya Clan. Hirasawa enjoyed the tea ceremony, and made teaware in the seto and karatsu styles in his free time. His creations had a unique quality and were known as Kuro-yaki. He died at the age of 69 on June 23, 1840. His name was Kazusada. His alias was Seikuro. Also Konjyakuan. (more…)

Taizan Yohei 帯山与兵衛

early Edo priodo-1895malekyo potteryThe kiln was first opened in 1673-1681 by Takahashi Tokuro from Omi Province under the name of Taizan Yohei in Awatayama, Kyoto, and the kiln was continued until the ninth generation of the family in middle of the Meiji period.During the second, third, and fourth generations, he produced matcha bowls, drinking vessels, and other wares and protected the family business well.During the era of the 5th Yohee, he established the technique of celadon porcelain in the Bunka period (1804-1818). And during the Tenpo period (1830-1843), the 6th generation began to produce painted porcelain and developed works by (more…)

Takemoto Hayata 竹本隼太

1848-1892maleBorn into a family of hatamoto that served the Tokugawa shogunate for generations, he was active in national affairs at the end of the Edo period, but lost his job after the restoration of the Meiji government.After the Meiji Restoration, he began to make pottery under the name of Gansuien, inspired by his father’s hobbies of ceramics and bonsai and by his acquaintance with the Seto potter, Inoue Ryosai. He played a pioneering role in modern craftsmanship by perfecting the method of firing using press moulds and was awarded the Kamon award at the first National Industrial Exhibition in 1877 (more…)

Takugen Yasuke 啄元弥介

1747-1830maleraku potteryAfter the death of the 9th Ryosai, who was a cabinetmaker for Omotesenke School.Although the style of his work is Raku style, he is said to have excelled in the technique of Akaraku ware.Takku retired from the pottery business around 1825 and called Takugen The pottery business was handed over to the second generation he but continued to produce pottery.The 2nd Takugen was also engaged in Ryosai’s Kairakuen Pottery business and received the seal of “Kyuraku” from the Tokugawa family. (more…)