over 100000 JPY

Shimaoka Tatsuzo 島岡達三

1919-2007malemashiko potteryliving national treasureBorn in 1919 (eighth year of the Taisho era), the eldest son of Shimaoka Yonekichi, a braid maker from Atago, Tokyo. In his third year of high school, inspired by works of Kawai Kanjiro and Hamada Shoji he had witnessed at the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, he resolved to become a potter. In 1939, he enrolled in the ceramics department at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The following year, he visited Mashiko to meet with Hamada, who agreed to accept Shimaoka as his apprentice. However, in 1942, following the breakout of the Pacific War, Shimaoka joined a (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…)

Sasaki Shoraku 佐々木昭楽

Meiji period-maleraku potteryIn 1905, Kichinosuke Sasaki, a Nishikite painter, opened a kiln in Kiyomizu-zaka, Kyoto. Under the guidance of Goto Zuigan and Master Oda Sesshou of Daitokuji Temple, he served as the official kiln of Daitokuji Temple and worked on the revival of “Murasakino-yaki (the official kiln of Murasakino Daitokuji Temple, which started in 1804 under the guidance of the chief priest Shogetsu-an Chuho, but it was discontinued in 1818)”. His contribution to the restoration of Daitokuji Temple after the war was recognized by Master Oda Sesshou, and he received the title of “Narumo-ken”.In 1944, the kiln was moved to (more…)

Sakaida Kakiemon 14th 十四代 酒井田柿右衛門

1934-2013malearita porcelainliving national treasureBorn the eldest son of the 13th generation Kakiemon, he learned pottery from his father as well as his grandfather (the 12th generation Kakiemon.) He was chosen for a prize for the first time in the 28th Issuikai Exhibition in 1966. He was also chosen for a prize for the first time in the First Western Japan Kogei Exhibition, which was newly established in the same year.From that point onward, he continued to display his works in the Saga Prefecture Exhibition and, from 1968, the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition. In 1971, he was nominated for full member (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 15th 十五代 沈壽官

1959-malesatsuma potteryUpon graduating from college, he began making pottery at Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute and Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics College of Technology, studying abroad in Italy in 1986 and undergoing an apprenticeship in Korea in 1990. After returning to Japan, he continued to assist at Jukan XIV’s studio, also creating his own original works utilizing traditional techniques. He inherited the name Chin Jukan XV in 1999. (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…)

Chin Jukan 沈壽官

before 1598-satsuma pottery The history of the Japanese pottery making Chin family dates back to 1597. At that time, Shimazu Yoshihiro, lord of the Shimazu Clan, traveled to Korea, and Chin Tokichi I was one of the potters he brought back to Japan. He moved to the Naeshiro River in 1603 and opened a kiln. He began making pottery, and it is said that he discovered the area’s white clay that laid the foundations of today’s Satsuma ware.In addition, the Satsuma Domain particularly favored potters, naming the highly artistic works after the domain: Satsuma ware. In the beginning, many works (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…)

Tanzan Seikai 丹山青海

1813-1887malekyo potteryBecoming the son-in-law of Kumano, Kyoto potter Shinriki Rikizo, he learned to paint from Nakamura Chikuto and others. In 1848, he established a kiln in Nakanomachi, Awataguchi. Becoming a potter, he changed his name to Tanzan Seikai, and in 1854 he worked as a potter for Shorenin Nomiya when they opened a ceramic products hall.He exhibited at the 1st Kyoto Exhibition in 1872, won the silver medal at the 1st National Industrial Exhibition in 1877, and won the silver medal at the Paris World Expo the following year. (more…)

Tashiro Seijiuemon 田代清治右衛門

?-1658malesoma potteryA potter named Toshiro Seijiuemon, he moved to Kyoto in 1648 under the order of Soma, the Nakamura feudal lord of Iwaki Province (Fukushima Prefecture). Following 7 years of training under Nonomura Ninsei of Omuro, he returned to his hometown and received a letter from his teacher. After this, he began calling himself Seijiuemon. In 1867, at the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Seijiuemon XI received the pen name Hokkyo from the feudal lord. The current head of the family is Tashiro Hideto XV. (more…)

Daimaru Hokuho 1st 初代 大丸北峰

1879-1959malekyo potteryBorn in Daishoji, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture.Also known as Heian Hokuho. He received training in ceramic painting from Okura Seishichi at the Kutani Pottery Company, later moving to Kyoto in 1899 to study under Kitayama Sekisen.In 1906, he was invited to teach at Hunan Ceramics School in Hunan Province, China, thereafter devoting himself to the study of Chinese ceramics.He returned to Japan in 1909. He returned to Kyoto and created ceramics focused mainly on chinaware matcha and tea utensils.He has displayed his work at many exhibitions, winning gold and silver awards at most of them. He became a contract (more…)

Takatori Seizan 高取静山

1907-1983femaletakatori potteryAs known as Takatori Hachizan 11th. Born as the eldest daughter of Takatori X, head of the Takatori ware family. While she was living in Tokyo, she and her father began the revival of the Takatori Kiln (the kiln was discontinued in its 9th generation with the abolition of feudal domains).After her father’s passing, she opened her first kiln in 1958 and held her first solo exhibition at the Mitsukoshi Main Store in 1961. Through this opportunity, she was given the pen name Seizan by Muneaki, the 11th generation head of the Enshu school. Since then, under the name (more…)

Tatebayashi Korin’an 1st 初代 舘林古琳庵

1908-1994malearita porcelainHis real name is Sadao. Born in Arita, Saga Prefecture, known for its Imari ware pottery, he was engaged in pottery making from childhood. From the age of 21, he studied under Kakiemon XII and Kakiemon XIII, of the famous Imari ware akae Kakiemon kiln. In addition, he worked as a painter and potter for roughly 50 years, and during this time put efforts toward training younger artists. He was awarded the Modern Japanese Master Craftsman Outstanding Skills Award in 1974, and received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon in 1975.In 1978, he retired from the Kakiemon kiln at the (more…)

Takegoshi Zenpei 武腰善平

1843-1907malekutani porcelainKutani ware potter. From the age of 13, he trained at the Kutani ware kiln of the prestigious Iidaya Hachiroemon. Afterwards, following his sister’s marriage to Kutani Shoza, he studied under Shoza for 12 years. Following Shoza’s passing, he became a master of finely-painted colored gold leaf, creating wares and vases with motifs of people, flowers, and birds. Through instances such as his exhibiting a large plate with delicate, extra-fine line drawings at the 3rd Paris Exposition, he earned a reputation that surpassed that of his teacher. (more…)

Takeda Aritsune 竹田有恒

1888-1976malekutani porcelainA Kutani ware potter of the Shichihira Kiln. In 1961, he was the first potter in Japan to create the technique of translucent “overglaze gold leaf,” which overlays a thin layer of glaze over top gold leaf decoration. Currently, the Kutani ware artist Yoshita Minori is certified as a Living National Treasure for his use of this technique. (more…)

Raku Kichizaemon 15th Jikinyu 十五代 楽吉左衛門 直入

1949-maleraku potteruJikinyu, was born as Kakunyu’s eldest son of the 14th generation of the Raku family. His childhood name was Mitsuhiro, and he later took the name Sokichi.After graduating from the sculpture department of Tokyo University of Arts in 1973, he went to Italy to study at the Accademia di Roma. During his stay in Rome, he learned the art of tea ceremony from Nojiri Tomoko. He returned to Japan from Italy in 1976 and his father, Kakunyu, died four years later. The next year, Jikinyu was given the title ‘Kichizaemon the 15th’. His first solo exhibition commemorated the title (more…)

Raku Kichizaemon 14th Kakunyu 十四代 楽吉左衛門 覚入

1918-1980maleraku potteryBorn as the eldest son of thirteenth generation Raku master Seinyu, his birth name was Yoshihisa but was later changed to Sokichi. He graduated from the Tokyo Fine Arts School (now Tokyo University of the Arts) with a degree in sculpture in 1940. Afterwards, he returned to his home province, and with his father having already passed away the year prior, he inherited the mantle of Kichizaemon at the age of 28. Upon returning home, Kakunyu had to reestablish the Raku family and begin making pottery literally on his own. It was after 1955 that Kakunyu is thought to (more…)

Raku Kichizaemon 13th Seinyu 十三代 楽吉左衛門 惺入

1887-1944maleraku potteryBorn as the eldest son of Konyu who was 12th generation in his family. His birth name was Sokichi, and he was later renamed Yoshihide. In 1919, he succeeded the family at age 33 after Konyu retired. In 1944, he died without retiring at age 58. Seinyu loved tea ceremony from the bottom of his heart and worked hard for the prosperity of the culture of the tea ceremony. He published a series of research journals on tea ceremony called “Sado seseragi” between 1935 and 1942, which was a groundbreaking attempt for both research on tea ceremony and enlightenment, (more…)

Raku Kichizaemon 12th Konyu 十二代 楽吉左衛門 弘入

1857-1932maleraku potteryBorn as the first son of Keinyu, Raku the 11th. Inherits the family estate at age 15, passes the estate to his eldest son Seinyu at age 63 and retires. He dies at age 76. Konyu is said to have had a mild temperament and exerted all his effort for the survival of the Raku family. He enjoyed poem, and led a secluded life at the summer house in Ishiyama in Shiga Prefecture, indulged in art as he created potteries. He has left many poems such as “as I play around with soil, my 76th autumn arrives”, “time has (more…)