edo period

Honda Gen’emon 2nd 二代 本多源右衛門

1845-1906malekutani porcelainHonda Gen’emon was a Kutani pottery painter that worked from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period. Honda Gen’emon the First, his father, had reportedly studied under Kutani Shoza, and his son inherited his father’s painting style. Most noted for his vivid red and gold aka-e kinrade paintings, Gen’emon exhibited a Watano-made large plate at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition in 1876. Gen’emon is a popular artist not only in Japan but overseas as well. (more…)

Hon’ami Koho 本阿弥光甫

1601-1682maleraku potteryshigaraki potteryBorn in Kyoto. Studied under Hon’ami Koetsu and Raku Ichinyu.Born as the son of Hon’ami Kosa (and grandson of Hon’ami Koetsu), Koho inherited the family business of appraising katana and swords along with the artistic talents of the Koetsu style, becoming a master of ceramics, painting, calligraphy, and tea.Koho especially advanced in his pottery skills by studying under Raku Ichinyu, ordering potter’s clay from Shigaraki and creating tea bowls called Kuchu Shigaraki. Koho also gifted a book titled “Pottery Techniques” that was passed down to him from his grandfather to Kenzan Shinsei. (more…)

Fukuchi Yuya 福地幽哉

1868-1926maleraku potteryFrom Ako, Hyogo. Joined the Fukuchi family as an adopted child and started creating Raku ware in Yokkaichi, Mie in 1917.Contributed when transferring the tea room (Hanshoan) in Nagoya of the Takakura Hisada family from Kyoto to the tea room (Jirakuan) in Tokyo of Kume Nobushige, President of Tokyo Gas. Also started a gas kiln in Tokyo at the time.Known as the first person to create ceramics in a gas kiln in Japan. (more…)

Hisatomi Yohei 久富与平

1832-1871malearita porcelainBorn as the 6th son of Hisatomi Yohei Masaoki, the representative wealthy merchant of Arita. Later inherited the Hisatomi family fortune as the adopted child of Masayasu, the 1st son of Masaoki, given that he had no children.Received the store name of Zoshuntei from Nabeshima Naomasa, the 10th generation feudal lord of the Saga Domain, as he earned the trust of Naomasa and Nabeshima Naosuke, the 10th generation feudal lord of the Ogi Domain, in particular. Continuously researched new techniques, such as by researching glazes, and endeavored to establish works for export through trial and error. Also, when the (more…)

Hisada Koho 久田耕甫

1751-1820maleFrom Kyoto. Became the adopted child of the 7th generation Sosan of the Hisada family of Ryogaecho from the Tsukuda family, the wealthy merchants through cotton trading, and became the 8th generation.Also a master of tea ceremonies and ceramics. Left excellent works, such as Tokoname ware. (more…)

Hiraga Gennai 平賀源内

1726-1779malegennai potteryAfter visiting Nagasaki, Kyoto, Osaka, and other places, studied herbalism under Tamura Genyu in Edo.Thrived as an herbalist, Gesaku writer, and Joruri writer. Introduced the Elekiter (static electricity generator), oil paintings, and other forms of Western culture. Demonstrated his brilliance by presenting fireproof cloth, Gennai ware, Gesaku, and Joruri puppets. (more…)

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 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…)

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…)

Nishimura Saichi 西村佐一

Late Edo Period-Meiji Eramelekutani porcelainBecame a painter of Kutani ware based on an invitation from the Kutani ware porcelain shop Nishikino Shoten in Terai, Ishii around 1877-1887. Created works under the artist name of Hakujuken.Had excellent technique among painters and is said to have endeavored to nurture numerous painters. (more…)

Nishimura Soshiro 西村宗四郎

Late Momoyama Period-Early Edo Periodmalekyo potteryYounger brother of the 3rd generation Zengoro Sozen of the Nishimura family (Eiraku Zengoro). Worked to create doburo (braziers) as his older brother did.His technique was given the honor of “Tenkaichi (Best on Earth),” and his vessels were affixed with the stamp of “Tenkaichi Soshiro (Best on Earth Soshiro).”Also served in Edo during the Tokugawa period with the support of the 2nd generation shogun Hidetada. (more…)

Takahashi Dohachi 2nd 二代 高橋道八

1783-1855malekyo potteryHe was commonly known as Nin’ami Dohachi. He was born as the second child of Takahashi Dohachi the first. Since his old brother died young, he took over the patrimony when he was 29 and opened a kiln in Gojozaka. He studied pottery under Okuda Eisen, Hozan Bunzou and so on. He was known as one of the experts of Kyo-yaki. He received the pseudonym of Nin from Ninnaji and Ami from Daigoji therefore, he called himself Ninami. He spread the technique of Kyo-yaki over the whole country. (more…)

Seifu Yohei 1st 初代 清風与平

1813-1861malekyo potterymushiake potteryAlhough born the son of a Kanazawa feudal retainer, Seifu Yohei aspired to be a potter. In 1815, he began his training under Takahashi Dohachi II (Nin’ami Dohachi) of Kyoto, and started out by constructing a kiln in Fushimi Momoyama for the production of Raku ware.Later, around 1828, Seifu Yohei moved his kiln to Gojo-zaka where he produced mainly gold-painted porcelain, illustrated porcelain, celadon, white porcelain, and blue-and-white ceramics. His greatest surviving works consist mostly of green tea wares.Then, in 1847, he became a ceramics instructor, following an invitation to the private kiln (producing Mushiake ware) of Igi (more…)

Chuho Sou 宙宝宗宇

1760-1838malemurasakino potteryFrom Kyoto. He was the 418th chief priest of Daitokuji Temple, and the 13th chief priest of Daitokuji Temple Hoshunin. It is said that in the history of Daitokuji Temple priests, he was particularly adept at calligraphy and he left behind many writings. However, he also had a deep knowledge of tea ceremony, and in addition to creating his own pottery, he marked the name “Murasakino” on the Murasakino ware in front of the Daitokuji Temple gate, which was created by potter Kakutei. (more…)

Chin Jukan 12th 十二代 沈壽官

1835-1906malesatsuma potteryHe exhibited a pair of large vases at the Austrian Expo in 1873, making an impact overseas and receiving great praise.Since then, he began overseas trading mainly with the United States and Russia, making a name for Satsuma ware, alongside Kutani ware, until it became synonymous with Japanese pottery.However, while the Clan Pottery Abolition Law of 1875 created extreme difficulties, he made an effort to keep Satsuma ware alive by using his own assets and taking over the factory. He made great efforts for the survival of Satsuma ware, and is known not only as a member of the (more…)

Takeuchi Ginshu 竹内吟秋

1831-1913malekutani porcelainBorn the eldest son to the Azai family in Daishoji, Enuma-gun, Kaga Prefecture, he later became the adopted son of the Takeuchi family.He studied pottery painting and Tsukatani Makoto under Idaya Hachiroemon. Around 1878, he learned how to make clay material from Tsukatani Chikken and Okura Juraku.The following year, in 1879, he funded the establishment of a private school Ishin-sha. The year after that, he joined the Kutani Pottery Company, which had just been established at the time, as general manager. He studied gosai five-colored porcelains, beginning with akae, and he produced many excellent works. In 1881, he went (more…)