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Kuze Kyuho 1st 初代 久世久宝

1874-1947maleawata potteryBorn son of Bakumatsu period Buddhist priest Ninkei, began making ceramics under the name Ninyu, helped by his close relationship with Otagaki Rengetsu (possibly 2nd generation Rengetsu of the period) and others working in the field. His talent was recognized by Urasenke Ennosai, who ensured that he would inherit the Kuho business and eventually become 4th generation owner. He worked primarily with Kyo-ware and Awata-ware specializing in color paintings and Ninsei-ware. (more…)

Munakata Ryoichi 宗像亮一

1933-?malehongo potteryBorn as the 1st son of the 6th generation Munakata Toyomune (or read as Toyooki) of the Hongo ware Munakata kiln, which is said to be the oldest ascending kiln in the Tohoku region. Started making ceramics under the guidance of his father in 1949. Became the 7th generation upon the passing of his father in 1970.Won the Japan Folk Crafts Museum’s Award in 1971. Also won the 1st Fukushima Prefectural Art Award in the same year, the Prefectural Art Distinguished Service Award in 1989, the Industrial Distinguished Service Award in 1994, the Regional Culture Distinguished Service Award (awarded (more…)

Seifu Yohei 2nd 二代 清風与平

1844-1878malekyo potterymushiake potteryBorn as a child of the 1st generation Yohei and studied ceramics under his father.Became the 2nd generation Seifu Yohei around the Bunkyu era (1861-1863) upon the passing of his father. Also fulfilled an order for the Kinri Gosho (Kyoto Imperial Palace) of the Katsura-no-miya family around the same time.Then went to guide the Mushiake kiln in Okayama Prefecture, following in the footsteps of the 1st generation, in 1870 once the Meiji era started. Appointed to serve as an industrial official by the Kyoto Prefectural Government in 1973. Gave all of his effort toward its development but passed (more…)

Seifu Yohei 5th 五代 清風与平

1921-1990maleBorn as the 1st son of the 4th generation Yohei, but lived an unfortunate adolescence, having to temporarily leave his family and take up other work due to the extreme financial hardships suffered by his family at the time.However, enjoyed the favor of the bonsai pot maker Tsukinowa Yusen and decided to start from scratch as a bonsai pot maker. Continued to have a close friendship with Yusen after that, leaving joint works together (Yohei painting pots by Yusen). Also succeeded in rebuilding the studio as a result of the positive sales of his bonsai pots. Came to produce tea (more…)

Seifu Yohei 3rd 三代 清風与平

1850-1914malekyo potteryimperial household artistBorn to the Okada family in Harima Province. Sought to be a painter as a youth and studied Japanese painting and nanga under Tanomura Chokunyu in Osaka. However, gave up on painting due to illness and transitioned to ceramics by becoming an apprentice of the 2nd generation Seifu Yohei in Kyoto. Used the artist name of Seizan to make ceramics at the time.Later married the younger sister of the 2nd generation and became a son-in-law of the Seifu family (Shinkai family). Became the 3rd generation Yohei upon the passing of the 2nd generation in 1878. Studied the (more…)

Seifu Yohei 4th 四代 清風与平

1871- 1951malekyo potteryBorn as the 2nd son of the 3rd generation Yohei and studied techniques from his father. Also studied Japanese painting techniques under Tanomura Shosai.Carried on the family business upon the passing of his father and became the 4th generation Seifu Yohei. Favored the tasteful and had a range of work with elegance. Received high praise and did not disgrace the reputation of his noble family, but lost most of the assets that he had amassed to that point due to the New Yen Conversion Policy (demonetization of old currency to prevent inflation) in 1946 after World War II (more…)

Suzuki Tomio 鈴木富雄

1948-maleshino potteryAttracted by Shino ware, studied ceramics almost by himself and opened Sangetsu kiln in Yawata Kyoto in 1988.Hardly exhibited at any particular exhibitions since then, but presented works at famous department stores in Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka, Toyama, Hiroshima, Fukuyama, Nagasaki and various other locations every year.Specialized in Shino ware, making Nezumi-Shino ware in particular with manly strength. Latest works include Yohen Purple Gold Shino ware with a gold sheen. Received high praise for tea bowls and large sake cups. (more…)

Suzuki Goro 鈴木五郎

1941-maleDid not have a particular teacher. Started making ceramics through unique research and study in 1957 and was selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time in 1962. Was selected for the Kofukai Exhibition for the first time in 1964. Won the Top Prize at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1966, the Award of Excellence at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1967, the Honorable Mention Award at the Chunichi International Ceramic Exhibition in 1971, the ’75 Award at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1975, and in recent years, the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2002. During this time, held (more…)

Suwa Sozan 2nd 二代 諏訪蘇山

1895-1977femaleThe adopted child of the 1st generation Sozan and a female potter. Stood out for celadon with a gentle atmosphere while carrying on the style of the 1st generation. (more…)

Suda Seika 1st 初代 須田青華

1862-1927malekutani porcelainGraduated from the Faculty of Ceramic Painting at the Ishikawa Prefectural Industry Institute.Then, after training in Kyoto, worked at Kutani Toki Kaisha. After becoming independent, mainly researched and fired Ko-Kutani ware, Nabeshima ware, and Imari ware in his own kiln. Attracted a lot of attention for making excellent porcelain with shonzui and red paintings.Also held friendly relations with Kitaoji Rosanjin, and the sign of the current generation of the kiln was created by Rosanjin. (more…)

Suzuki Tetsu 鈴木徹

1964-maleoribe potteryBorn as the 1st son of Suzuki Osamu, the living national treasure. Pursued ceramics himself. After graduating from the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Training School in 1988, was selected for the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition (and selected repeatedly thereafter) for the first time in 1991 and the Tokai Traditional Craft Art Exhibition (and selected repeatedly thereafter) for the first time in 1994 and recommended to become an Official Member of the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition in 1997. Won the Gifu Prefectural Board of Education Award at the Tokai Traditional Craft Art Exhibition in 1999 and the Tokai Traditional (more…)

Sugie Jyumon 杉江寿門

1828-1898maletokoname potteryAn artisan of the Chinese Qing style and one of the 3 artists to be trained by Kin Shiko. Said to be the best at succeeding the master’s techniques and particularly known as a master of red stoneware teapots.Also worked on hand-formed crabs, lions, and other sculptures. (more…)

Suwa Sozan 1st 初代 諏訪蘇山

1852-1922maleimperial household artistMoved to Tokyo in 1875 to study ceramic painting under Saiunro Kyokuzan. Established a ceramic factory in Oi, Shinagawa the following year. Then returned home in 1883, served as an assistant at Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial Experimentation Institute, worked at Asukai Kiyoshi’s Kutani Toki Kaisha, and worked in the Faculty of Sculpture at Ishikawa Prefectural Industrial School.Was invited to the Kyoto Kinkozan Ceramic Factory in 1900 and became independent in Gojozaka, Kyoto in 1907. Almost perfectly restored celadon works by Long Quan Yao kiln in China and received praise for his Sozan celadon.Started putting effort into restoring Korai kiln (more…)

Kitamura Gazen 北村賀善

1938-kyo potteryHe received the artist name Gazen from a monk at Niwaji Temple, who took one character from Kaga, Ishikawa Prefecture, the birthplace of his predecessor. He also received the name Rakuto Kiln for his kiln from Kakitani Kaoshi, a person of culture.As a creator of traditional Kiyomizu ware, he creates articles that were easy to use, from small dishes to large bowls and vases. Blue and white ceramics are his forte. (more…)

Kiyomizu Shichibey 清水七兵衛

1818-1891malekyo potteryHe was the eldest son of Kiyomizu Rokubey II and learned pottery from his father Rokubey.Although as the eldest son of the second Rokubey, it was planned for him to become the third Rokubey, it is said that he was not allowed to inherit the Rokubey name as he was a heavy drinker, and his younger brother became the third Rokubey instead while he became Shichibei in a new family branch. However, his ceramic skills were extremely good, and he demonstrated talent that was in no way inferior to the second Rokubey. (more…)

Kikko Jusoken 8th 八代 吉向十三軒

1948-malekikko potteryHe was born the fourth son of Kikko Jusoken VII and studied traditional techniques under his father. He became the eighth Kikko Jusoken in 1971.The Jusoken Kiln is today at the foot of Ikomayama Mountain in Higashiosaka, and he has a workshop there.He mainly focuses on tea bowls. He is well-trusted by the Urasenke tea-ceremony school and also creates Hounsai and Sabo congratulatory gifts. (more…)

Kinkozan Sobei 7th 七代 錦光山宗兵衛

1868-1927malekyo satsuma potteryHe was the son of the sixth Sobei and inherited the family headship in 1884. He worked to expand the market for overseas exports that his father had promoted, added improvements to the Kyo-Satsuma techniques that his father had created, and was also successful in gold and silver glazing.He exhibited his Kyo-Satsuma ware at the World’s Chicago Columbian Exposition in 1893 and his art nouveau-style works at the fifth National Industrial Fair in 1903. He was involved in the founding of the Kyoto City Ceramics Research Institute and the Ceramics Training Centre. At the end of the Meiji (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 8th 八代 清水六兵衛

1954-malekyo potteryThe eldest son of the seventh Kiyomizu Rokubey. After graduating from university, he learned pottery at the Kyoto Pottery Training School and the Kyoto Industrial Research Institute. In 1980, he held his first group exhibition, and has exhibited his works at many exhibitions since then, including open-recruitment and group exhibitions. He has been repeatedly selected and won prizes, and became the eighth-generation Rokubey in 2000. His representative award is the 2004 Japan Ceramics Association Prize, among others. (more…)

Kiyomizu Rokubey 7th (清水九兵衛) 七代 清水六兵衛 (Kiyomizu Kyubei)

1922-2006malekyo potteryHe is also known as Kiyomizu Kyubei. He began working with pottery while still studying, as the successor of his father-in-law the sixth Rokubey. After graduation, he won the Hokuto Prize and special prizes at the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition and served as a judge, but later moved away from pottery to devote himself to the world of 3D molding, and created avant-garde sculptures and works of spatial art.After becoming a sculptor, he received numerous prizes at various sculpture exhibitions, such as the 1976 Mainichi Crafts Prize, the 1977 Japan Crafts First Prize, and the 1998 Nakahara Teijiro Prize. (more…)