over 100000 JPY

Mori Koshu 森香洲

1855-1921malemushiake potteryPotter of Mushiake ware, which had been created from before as the commissioned pottery of the Igi family, the chief retainer of the Okayama Domain. Thrived from around the Bakumatsu to the Taisho era.Together with his father Mori Kakutaro, who received a kiln from Makuzu Chozo, who had come to provide ceramic instruction, received instruction from the 1st generation Makuzu Kozan, Chozo’s son who was also invited to provide ceramic instruction of the Mushiake ware style in 1868. Received a kanji from Kozan to start making ceramics under the artist name of Koshu. Although the kiln of the Igi (more…)

Meiho 鳴鳳

Late Edo Period – ?koto porcelainOne of the representative painters of the Koto ware Hikone Domain kiln. Originally was a samurai serving a temple in Kyoto, but moved to Hikone with his wife and children around 1850 and is said to have started painting Koto ware after receiving special treatment from the feudal lord Ii Naosuke. Excelled most in elaborate red paintings with gold glaze. Frequently used patterns of the Chinese phoenix, dolls dressed in ancient Chinese clothing, and sages. Is said to have moved to Ise several years later. (more…)

Murakami Genki 村上玄輝

1931-2009malearita porcelainAfter repeatedly training under Tatebayashi Gen’emon, the noted kiln owner of Arita ware, became independent and started the Genki studio. Mainly presented works at private exhibitions at the Kintestu department stores in the Kinki region and notable department stores in Tokyo and the Kyushu region.Made a wide range of works, including large plates, incense burners, flower bowls, and other items for viewing, as well as tableware, sake vessels, coffee mugs, teacups, and other items for daily use. (more…)

Murata Toen 村田陶苑

1905-2002malekyo potteryBorn to a potter family in Gojozaka, Kyoto. Studied the basics of ceramics under his grandfather Murata Nagaosa from a young age. After studying Japanese painting in Yamamoto Shunkyo’s private painting school, worked for 2 years at Kyoto Ceramic Company.Continued to support his family business at first and made vessels. When it became difficult to obtain fuel in 1940, switched to making doll sculptures that could be fired with low fire power.Then made improvements for serious commercialization of these dolls. When it became possible to obtain sufficient fuel in 1955 after World War II, resumed production of pots, jars, (more…)

Mitsuke Masayasu 見附正康

1975-malekutani porcelainBorn in Kaga, Ishikawa prefecture, where he graduated from the Ishigawa Prefectural Kutani-ware Technical Training Institute in 1997 and was the recipient of the highest award at the graduation exhibition. Studied under Fukushima Buzan making red-painted Kutani-ware. Certified as a traditional craftsman by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2006. In the following year, he set up a workshop in his home and went independent. Recipient of the Technology Award at the Traditional Kutani-ware Crafts Exhibitions, as well as 3rd Prize from the Director of Manufacturing Industries Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry a (more…)

Mikuni Tan’yu 三国丹祐

Meiji period-Showa periodkyo potteryKyo-ware potter who became an apprentice of the first Miura Chikusen. He was well-regarded for the sencha tea-ware he made in the style of Chikusen, with his skills said to surpass even those of his master, and he was also known for producing white porcelain, cinnabar porcelain and engraved porcelain. (more…)

Mishima Kimiyo 三島喜美代

1932-femaleFirst exhibited her work in the Sculpture Dividsion of the Dokuritsuten Exhibition and continued to exhibit at the same exhibition until 1969, winning the Suda Award, Dokuritsu Award, and other honors in that time. Exhibited at the International Ceramics Exhibition from 1972 to 1980 (winning the Gold Medal in 1974), as well as the Japan International Art Exhibition in 1974, 11th Contemporary Japanese Art Exhibition in 1975 (Honorable Mention Award), Contemporary Crafts Artist Exhibition in 1978, Contemporary Art and Humor Exhibition in 1980, and others. Has since been active since that time in various public and trade exhibitions, winning the (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 9th 九代 三輪休雪

1868-1953malehagi potteryThe Potter’s title is Miwa Setusdo. Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi prefecture, as the 9th generation of the Miwa family who have been engaged in Hagi-ware production for the former Hagi clan for many generations. He is also known for being the father of the 10th generation Kyusetsu (Kyuwa) and 11th generation (Jusetsu), who both became living national treasures. Produced traditional Hagi-ware faithfully including tastefully constructed tea-ware, which was known under the name Kyusetsu well into the early Showa period until he retired in 1945, after which it was produced under the new name Setsudo. (more…)

Mizukoshi Yosobei 2nd 二代 水越与三兵衛

Late Edo period-1845malekoto porcelainAs with his predecessor, the exact birth date for the 2nd generation Yosobei are unknown, but he was the son of the 1st generation Yosobei and inherited the family business. While his work was not held in such esteem as that of his father, he inherited a general artistic touch, with a reputation for images of pine trees as well as colored porcelain featuring flower petals blurred with blue-white or green glaze. Due to his skills with blue-white porcelain, he was invited to the Hikone Koto-ware kiln and Himeji-han domain kiln and was engageed in ceramics production (more…)

Miyagawa Kosai 4th 四代 宮川香斎

1897-1987malemakuzu potteryBorn the second son of the 2nd generation Kosai, his older brother originally succeeeded their father as 3rd generation, but passed away within 5-6 years of taking the name, leaving the younger son to take on the family name as 4th generation Kosai. Studied tea ceremony under Hisada Soya (11th generation Mutekisai) from 1929 and began producing tea-ware. Starting around 1934, he began to use the name Makuzu Kosai as well, inheriting this name as well as Miyagawa, meaning that the 5the generation Miyagawa Kosai would be the 2nd Makuzu Kosai and the 6th Miyagawa Kosai would be the (more…)

Miyagawa Kosai 2nd 二代 宮川香斎

1846-1922malemakuzu potteryAdopted by the 1st Miyagawa Kosai when he was a child. Studied ceramics under his adopted father and Miyagawa Chozo. While working at the Makuzu kiln (from the 1st Kozai), he was appointed to Nishi Honganji Temple where he was in charge of the production of “Ichimonji Goki Teacups” at the time of the Buddhist monk Shinran’s 650th anniversary in 1911. Retired in 1913. (more…)

Mimura Tokei 三村陶景

1885-1956malebizen potteryBorn in Mitsuishi, Bizen, Okayama prefecture. From his earliest work onward, he conducted continuous research into colored Bizen-ware and white Bizen-ware from the Edo period, producing many excellent figurines of people and animals as well as traditional pieces such as kyusu teapots while protecting the tradition of hand-twisted pottery rather than using a wheel. Alongside his own ceramics, he established the first Bizen-ware training institute (Inbe Ceramics School) in Inbe, which trained many master crafstmen, a further contribution of his to the fame of modern Bizen-ware. (more…)

Miura Kenya 三浦乾也

1821-1889malekyo potteryAlso known as Ogata Kenzan the 6th. After the death of his father, Seishichi, he was taken in by his uncle, Ida Kichiroku, and focused on Raku ware.At first, he made a living making clay dolls, but later he was discovered by Nishimura Myakuan (5th generation Kenzan, 1784-1853) and started making maki-e lacquerware in the Ogawa Haritsu (Lacquer artist, 1663-1747) style around 1845. He also excelled at pottery, and after receiving a copy of Kenzan’s biography from Nishimura, he began to make pottery in the style of Ogata Kenzan and took the name Kenzan VI. In addition to pottery, (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 13th 十三代 三輪雪休

1951-malehagi potteryReal name is Miwa Kazuhiko. Born in Yamaguchi prefecture as the third son of the 11th Miwa Kyusetsu and the younger brother of Miwa Ryusaku (currently 12th generation Miwa Kyusetsu) and Miwa Eizo. Despite growing up in such a traditional household, he was strongly influenced by his eldest brother’s work and studied in the United States at SAI (San Francisco Art Institute) for seven years starting in 1975 to develop his molding and shaping skills. After returning to Japan, he pushed the boundaries of ceramic art, experimenting with fusing traditional Hagi-ware with his knowledge of objets d’arts. In addition (more…)

Miyagawa Kosai 1st 初代 宮川香斎

1819-1865malemakuzu potteryStudied under Miyagawa Chozo. Received a tosui-goseki seal from Kyoto shugoshoku (military commissioner) Matsudaira Katamori that would be passed on to his successors. Also inherited the name of his teacher “Makuzu” from whom he also inherited the second generation of Makuzu-ware. After retiring he took the name of Jihei, with his name Kosai and Jihei passed on down through the generations. Currently Miyagawa Kosai (5th generation) has inherited Makuzu-ware as 6th generation in that lineage. (more…)

Miyanaga Tozan 宮永東山

1867-1941maleBorn in Kyoto prefecture. Studied Chinese celadon and blue-white ceramics. His main artistic focus was on tea-ware such as vases, cups, incense burners and kensui (waste-water containers for the tea ceremony). He also excelled at producing sculptured lion figurines. (more…)

Miyagi Sumiko 宮城須美子

1939-2019tsuboya potteryfemaleBorn in Okinawa as the eldest daughter of Kinjo Jiro, a living national treasure. Along with her older brothers Toshio and Toshiaki, she inherited her father’s style of Tsuboya-ware. (more…)

Miyagawa Kozan 3rd (Makuzu Kozan 3rd) 三代 宮川香山 (三代 真葛香山)

1881-1945malemakuzu potteryBorn in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture, as the son of the 2nd generation Miyagawa Kozan, he inherited as 3rd generation Kozan but lost his studio, employees, and family members in the 1945 Allied Bombing of Yokohama along with his own life. His younger brother Tomonosuke took on the family name as Kozan (4th generation) and aimed to rebuild the business, but this endeavor was abandoned when he died in 1961. (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 12th 十二代 三輪雪休

1940-malehagi potteryAlso as known as Miwa Ryukisho. Born the first son of MIWA Jusetsu XI in Hagi, Yamaguchi.1967　 Complete the graduating process at Department of Pottery, Tokyo University of Art. Created his first major work “High Heel”1974　Build a kiln in Hagi1977　Appointed as a professor at Hagi Women’s Junior College1979　 Become a member of International Academy of Ceramics1989　Japan Ceramic Awards1993　Established Hagi Tougeika Kyoukai, Hagi Society for Potters1999　Chugoku Cultural Award2003　Succeeded his name MIWA Kyusetsu XII2007　The exhibition of MIWA Kyusetsu, commemorating 25 anniversary of the friendship between Shandong Province, China and Yamaguchi Prefecture2011　Won a Gold prize at Japan Ceramic Society Award2019　Named himself Ryukisho (more…)

Miyagawa Kozan 2nd (Makuzu Kozan 2nd) 二代 宮川香山 (二代 真葛香山)

1858-1940malemakuzu potterySon of Chohei, brother of the 1st generation Makuzu Kozan, he often assisted his uncle in Yokohama making ceramics. After the 1st generation Kozan died in 1916, he was named 2nd generation Kozan. Inheriting his style from his uncle, he primarily produced sculptured vases, sculptured figurines and other works, often incorporating birds and flowers. More so than his predecessor, he based his work on scientific research into glazes, which allowed him to develop innovative new works that solidified the reputation of Makuzu-ware. (more…)