edo period

Kato Yohachi 3rd 三代 加藤与八

Late Edo period – Meiji periodmaleseto potteryThird generation kiln owner who manufactured ceramics under the name of Yohachi from the late Edo period into the Meiji. His predecessors focused mainly on ceramics, but starting in the 8th year of Bunka (1811), Yohachi requested a stock of dyed porcelain, which he began to produce in Seto throughout the rest of the Edo period. He exhibited at the Philadelphia Expo in 1876 and displayed dyed bonsai pots at the first Domestic Expo in 1877, receiving an award. In the end, it seems that his ceramics activity finished in 1908. Master Seto craftsman (more…)

Kawamura Matasuke 川村又助

1843-1918malebanko potteryBusinessman who dealt in Banko-ware, starting out as a wholesaler in 1875, then in 1878 moving into manufacturing and exporting to the United States before establishing Kawamura-gumi, a joint-stock company that became prominent both in Japan and overseas. Set up the Banko Ceramics Commerce and Industry Association in 1885 as union leader. In 1900, he moved to the Kawamura Ceramics Factory and established Taisho Banko. Manufactured bobble-head dolls, Okame figurines and kyusu teapots, exporting primarily to the United States. (more…)

Kato Shozaburo 加藤正三郎

1828-1896maleBorn the second son of Kato Shoemon, first generation owner of a kiln shop that manufactured ceramics in Seto from the late Edo period up until the early Showa period. The family separated in the first year of Ansei (1854), with Shozaburo working primarily with dyed porcelain and lapis lazuli. Exhibited lapis lazuli vases and flower pots at the first Domestic Expo in 1877 and dyed dishes and mizusashi (Japanese water pitchers) at the second. His eldest son Kintaro took over as second-generation owner when he retired. (more…)

Kato Yoroku 加藤与六

Late Edo period – Meiji periodmaleFounded a kiln shop in Seto in the 9th year of Bunsei (1826) and manufactured ceramics for several generations into the Meiji period. Focused mainly on blue-white dyeing of ceramics, his “Long angle dyed flower board” was exhibited at the 1st Domestic Expo in 1877. This was followed with a close partnership with the cloisonné company in Nagoya focusing on the production of cloisonné-ware, but this business closed down in 1905. (more…)

Kato Heizaemon 加藤平左衛門

Late Edo period – Meiji periodmaleRan a kiln shop that primarily produced porcelain for the first half of the Meiji period. Exhibited at the Philadelphia Expo in 1876 and put plates and lidded bowls on show at the Domestic Expo in the following year. Several other items (such as Kiji-ware ceramic cows) were put on display at the Domestic Expo of 1882. Worked under the ownership of the painting company Kaiyosha from 1878 to 1888 in Nagoya and Yokohama. (more…)

Kawamoto Rikichi 川本利吉

Late Edo period – Meiji periodmaleseto potteryRan a kiln that manufactured several varieties of ceramics from the Edo period into the Meiji, mainly focusing on manufactured tableware in the early Meiji period for export to the United States. Later expanded into manufacture of a wider range of domestic products. Exhibited at the Domestic Expo of 1877 and the Paris Expo of 1878, receiving a bronze medal. Worked under the name Ishi Hanazono. (more…)

Kashu Sanpei 賀集三平

1844-1909maleminpei potteryNephew of Minpei, founder of Minpei-ware, under whom he studied from an early age. Took over management of the Minpei kiln in 1862 (2nd year of Bunkyu) after the founder retired due to illness, producing works that reflected the traditions and techniques inherited from his uncle. After the beginning of the Meiji period, he established Tantosha and worked independently to initiate overseas trade through the use of densely-glazed paintings on glossy white backgrounds. Exhibited at World Expos overseas. (more…)

Kadoya Choju 加登屋長寿

1841-1886maleohi potteryAlso known as Ohi Choju or Kato Choju. Son of Kadoya Kichiemon, apprentice of fifth generation master Ohi Kanbei. Went independent of the family business in 1855 and opened a kiln in Yamanoue-cho in the same year, where he primarily produced ameyu-glaze Ohi tea-ware under the name Choju. Following his death, his son Yoshitaro inherited the business as second generation Choju but changed the name from Kadoya Choju to Kato Choju II. Suwa Sozan was also an apprentice of Kadoya Choju.In 1930, Empress Joumei built a tea room called Shusen-tei in the Akasaka Imperial Palace, and tea ceremony utensils (more…)

Kaneko Rikichi 金子利吉

1823-Meiji periodmaleBorn the third son of a farmer, he also worked from a young age with his family in his parents’ side business of making and firing tiles. Moved to Hakodate in the Ezo region (Hokkaido) in 1847. He is known for contributing to the production of inexpensive high-quality roof tiles using clay from Kamedamachi, which became the leading roof tile manufacturer in Hokkaido and consequently contributed considerably to the reduction of damage by fire. (more…)

Kato Mokuzaemon 加藤杢左衛門

Late Edo periodmaleseto potteryEstablished the first kiln in Seto during the Kansai period (1789-1801), which the second generation (1832-1900) inherited during the Tenpo period (1830-1844) and turned to the production of porcelain at the end of the Edo period in 1867. Certain pieces that were particularly well-received included a large white-blue porcelain vase (8 meters upright) and a large barrel-shaped urn used as a substitute umbrella stand for foreigners. Know as a kiln business that produced many excellent works, some of which became masterpieces, it continued through to the 3rd generation Mokuzaemon (1857-1934) who left his mark in history alongside (more…)

Kato Kanshiro 加藤勘四郎

Late Edo period-Meiji periodmaleseto potteryManufactured white-blue dyed porcelain in Seto, Aichi prefecture under the name Hishikan, ◇ Kan and others. Recipient of the Otorimon Award at the First National Industrial Exhibition in 1877 and Bronze Award at the 1878 Paris Exposition Universelle, as well as awards at many other exhibitions. Produced a wealth of vases, pots, bonsai pots, sake sets, basins, and other items. (more…)

Ogata Kenzan 尾形乾山

1663-1743malekyo potteryBorn the third son of Ogata Soken of Kariganeya, a kimono fabrics wholesaler in Kyoto, with Ogata Korin as one of his older brothers.He studied under Nonomura Ninsei, learning to create pottery. When he was around 37 years of age, he opened a kiln in Kiyotaki, right near the Ninsei Kiln, and as it was located in northwest Kyoto (which in Japanese, is referred to as the cardinal direction of “Inui”, a word that can be pronounced as “Ken”), he inscribed the signature of “Kenzan” into his products since then.His style was influenced by Ninsei, his master, and Korin, (more…)

Nonomura Ninsei 野々村仁清

1648-1690malekyo potteryAfter leaving Tamba for the capital and studying at the Awataguchi pottery kiln, he learned techniques for tea caddies in Seto.After returning to the capital, he made ceramics in front of the gate of the Omura Ninnaji Temple.We handle supplies used at the same temple.His style used elegantly colored pottery fired with paintings.He established the modern mainstream Kyo ware style of Ninseiyaki.Additionally, he is considered to be the first potter who included not just the name of the kiln but the seal of the artist on his pottery.As for his pseudonym, “Nonomura” comes from his birthplace, while “Nin” was (more…)

Kato Shuntai 加藤春岱

1802-1877maleseto potteryKato Shuntai was a potter from Seto Akatsu village during the end of Tokugawa Shogunate period. Born in a potter family in Seto, the family was one of the three Okamaya families, the Nihei family. His talent blossomed early on and at the age of 15, he succeeded the work of his father, Kagenori (Shunzan), and became a member of Okamaya. Okamaya is the name of their pottery business. Okamaya was established as a kind of reconstruction policy of the Seto area, which was carried out by the first lord of the Owari clan, Tokugawa Yoshinao. With the influence (more…)

Kato Sekishun 加藤石春

1870-1943maleraku potteryHe was born in Seto, the son of a potter, Kato Hozaburo, and worked in the family business from an early age, assisting his father in the production of pottery. At the age of 15, he went to Kyoto to study pottery making.After returning to Seto, he taught pottery techniques at a pottery school, and also started making pottery himself.After opening a kiln for Nagono-yaki ware in 1914, he constructed the Kasumori Kiln, producing raku ware with a distinctive glaze known as “Tatsuta-nishiki”. He died in 1943.A favorite of Itagaki Taisuke (famous as a leader of Movement for Liberty (more…)

Iwata Suzukichi 岩田錫吉

Late Edo Period-maleA ceramic painter from Nagoya who took charge of painting the pottery exhibited by the Aichi Prefectural Government at the 1st National Industrial Exhibition. (more…)

Iriyama Kainosuke 圦山開之助

Late Edo Period-Meiji EramaleStudied Kyo ware as a youth and started making ceramics in Seta, Omi and Takasu, Mino. Started making copies of Kiyomizu ware in Kuwana in 1845. Moved to Yotsuya, Yokkaichi in 1859 to create Banko ware using a potter’s wheel or a mold in his main kiln and non-main kiln. His works were exhibited at the 1st and 2nd National Industrial Exhibition, and records remain that he received a Certificate of Merit. www.bunka.pref.mie.lg.jp三重県総合博物館/資料詳細/草花文急須 杁山開之助 (more…)

Inoue Togen 井上陶源

Late Edo Period-maledaishoji imariProduced Daishoji Imari ware, which had the purpose of mass-producing Kutani ware, from the Meiji to Showa eras. Started Inoue Shoten, which was central to its production and distribution, in 1877. Asked the masters Takenouchi Ginshu and Asai Ichigo to paint the works and spiritedly engaged in commerce, with a focus on the Keihanshin region.Currently the latest generation produces works at Daishoji. He gives historic Kutani ware, such as aode, red paintings, and gold glaze, a modern style and is popular among Kaiseki restaurants also. (more…)

Ishida Heizo 石田平蔵

1844-1892makekutani porcelainStudied under his adoptive father Kitaichiya Heikichi and made Aode-Kutani ware. Created a business organization with Matsumoto Sahei and others in 1882. Exhibited a deep Aode Kutani pot at the Textile, Ceramic, and Japanese Lacquer Promotion Society and won the 5th Place and Honorable Mention Awards. Exhibited a flower vase at the National Industrial Exhibition in 1890. (more…)

Inoue Ennen 井上延年

1842-1914maleA potter from Seto in the Meiji era and the father of the 3rd generation Shofu Kajo. A master of the potter’s wheel who even conducted a potter’s wheel demonstration during the Aichi Expo in 1874. Presented a method of preparing pure Dehua porcelain together with the 6th generation Kawamoto Hansuke to the Department of Agriculture. Created copies of Chinese zaffre glazes as tea sets and left masterpieces. Was also invited as a model artisan by the present-day Faculty of Ceramics at Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1900. (more…)