over 100000 JPY

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…)

Kato Hajime 加藤土師萌

1900-1968maleliving national treasureFirst studied design etc., under pottery art designer Hino Atsushi, afterwards working at Gifu Prefectural Ceramics Research Institute and starting to create pottery on the side in 1926. In 1927, he was selected for a prize for the first time in the eighth Exhibition of the Imperial Fine Arts Academy in the fourth category, the Industrial Art Category, which was newly established in the same year. Since then, he continued to exhibit his works, and took on the name “Hajime” from 1930.Additionally, he received the Grand Prize at the Paris International Exposition in 1937, and in 1940, he (more…)

Ikenishi Tsuyoshi 池西剛

1961-maleResearched the appeal of ancient kilns in Korea, China, and Japan through independent study and was influenced by Abe Anjin. Started a 5-chambered climbing kiln in Imabari, Ehime at the age of 33. Created Ido ware, Karatsu ware, and Kizeto ware.Has held private exhibitions at Gallery Aoyama every year since 2005 and is receiving attention as a potter with high hopes for future activities. (more…)

Isezaki Koichiro 伊勢崎晃一朗

1974-malebizen potteryBorn as the 1st son of Isezaki Jun, the living national treasure from Bizen. Graduated from the Faculty of Sculpting at Tokyo Zokei University in 1996. Traveled to the United States in 1998 and studied under the potter Jeff Shapiro in New York. Studied under his father after returning to Japan.Selected for the first time for the Modern Tea Forms Exhibition hosted by Tanabe Museum of Art in 2003. Held a private exhibition in Kuroda Gallery in Ginza the following year. Then received the Okayama Broadcasting Award at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Chugoku Branch Exhibition. (more…)

Ikuta Kazutaka 生田和孝

1927-1982maletamba potterySought to be a potter in 1947 and received instruction from Kawai Takekazu from Fujihira kiln in Kyoto. Also apprenticed under Kawai Kanjiro in 1951 and studied folk ceramic crafts. Returned home temporarily in 1955 but moved to Konda, Hyogo the following year to study Tamba ware techniques under Ichino Toshio. Started a Tamba-style climbing kiln in 1959.Later established a style by adding folk craft arrangements to the base of Tamba ware. Stood out for use of Nuka-yu glaze and Ame-yu glaze with warm colors.Main awards received include the Minister of Education’s Award at the Japan Ceramic Exhibition for (more…)

Imaizumi Imaemon 11st 十一代 今泉今右衛門

1873-1948malearita porcelainNabeshima porcelainSucceeded the 10th generation Imaemon in 1927 and became the 11th generation.Excelled at painting and succeeded in establishing a range of works that were on par with antiques from the Edo period by pursuing the restoration and modeling of colored Nabeshima ware and Ko-Imari ware in addition to the red painting techniques used through the 10th generation. Created the foundation for the restored techniques of colored Nabeshima ware used by the present Imaemon. Upon the enthronement of King George VI of the United Kingdom in 1937, received the honor of producing the gift for Lord Drummond at the (more…)

Raku Ichigen 楽一元

1662-1722maletamamizu potteryThe illegitimate child (born to a mistress) of the 4th generation Raku Ichinyu from the Raku family. Moved to his home of Tamamizu in Minamiyamashiro (southern Kyoto Prefecture) after the death of Ichinyu and started Tamamizu ware after studying Raku ware together with his mother.He is also known as an extremely rare expert and was particularly known among the Raku ware kilns. Created masterpieces that are copies of works by Chojiro and Koetsu. After the death of Ichigen, the 2nd generation Yahei took on the artist name of Nindosai and succeeded the kiln. (more…)

Iwane Jinensai 岩根自然斎

1821-1873malekoto porcelainWas from Toriimoto-juku station of the Nakasendo and operated an inn as his main business. Formed the Koto ware trade guild in 1856 together with Kenyu, Sekisui, Tokoyama, and other ceramic painters with the approval of the Hikone Domain. Purchased base ceramics from the domain, painted these works, and sold them along the Nakasendo, mainly to travelers.In addition, although ceramic painters belonging to domain kilns were not allowed to add their own signatures, JInensai and others in civic kilns were allowed to add their own signatures. Signatures of Koto JInensai, Jinensai Ceramics, and Made by Jinen can be seen. (more…)

Imaizumi Imaemon 14th 十四代 今泉今右衛門

1962-malearita porcelainnabeshima porcelainBorn as the 1st son of the 13th generation Imaemon and majored in metalwork at university due to being interested in craft art and metalwork at the time. After graduating, trained further at the studio of Suzuki Osamu, who thrived at the front line of ceramic objects in Kyoto at the time.Studied traditional techniques under his father starting in 1990 and started making works seriously. Exhibited at the Saga Prefectural Exhibition, Issuikai Exhibition, Seibu Craft Art Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Has repeatedly exhibited at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition since 1996.Became the 14th generation Imaizumi Imaemon in (more…)

Ishino Ryuzan 石野竜山

1861-1936malekutani porcelainStudied porcelain paintings under Hatta Itsuzan and was highly regarded for his specialty in porcelain painting. Began studying under Matsubara Shinsuke (1846-1899), the potter from the same province, in 1898 and made a work that resembled underglaze porcelain in 1903. Repeatedly won awards at exhibitions in Japan and overseas. Was awarded as a Person of Merit for Business in Ishikawa Prefecture in 1916. Received a recommendation at the Japan Art Academy in 1931. Later appointed as a Counselor for the Kaga Kutani Ceramics Collective, Honorary Member of the Ishikawa Prefectural Craft Art Promotion Society, and Vice President of the (more…)

Isezaki Yozan 伊勢崎陽山

1902-1961malebizen potteryBorn in Imbe, Okayama and sought to become a Japanese-style painter but later switched to ceramics after entering the Korakuen kiln. Also learned techniques using spatulas by studying under Tajima Yusen.Started a kiln in 1933 and became independent. Demonstrated excellent technique in creating handleless Japanese tea pots for green tea and other handiwork, as well as sculptural works based on themes including lions and crabs. Also worked on major projects, such as a ceramic sculpture of Takasugi Shinsaku in Hiyoriyama Park in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi. Left other positive results by restoring the old kiln at Kona Yamanaka. (more…)

Kaneshige Toyo 金重陶陽

1896–1967malebizen potteryliving national treasureBorn into the Kaneshige family, one of the six kilns of Bizen, as the son of wakigama-style potter Kaneshige Baiyo, Toyo was trained by his father from early childhood and became adept at pottery techniques, with handicrafts and engraved ornaments being his particular specialty. He further devoted himself to the study of kiln construction. In 1921, he built a German-style map kiln, allowing him to successfully fire kiln-effect pottery (yohen-mono). He went on to study pottery clay as well, successfully recreating the sheen of Momoyama-period Bizen pottery in 1930. In 1939, he also succeeded in firing scarlet-stroke (more…)

Inoue Toya 井上東也

1942-2013malekaratsu potteryAfter studying tea ceremonies under Tansai, the master painter of Kyushu, in university, devoted himself to tea ceremonies and started making ceramics. Started a kiln in Kagamiyama, Karatsu in 1969 and produced painted Karatsu ware, spotted Karatsu ware, and Korean Karatsu ware tea bowls with a focus on private exhibitions.Was permitted to sign his works by Hounsai Soshitsu of the Urasenke school in 1971 and is favored by many tea ceremony masters. (more…)

Imaizumi Imaemon 12th 十二代 今泉今右衛門

1897-1975malearita porcelainnabeshima porcelainBorn as the son of the 11th generation Imaemon and worked in the family business. Became the 12th generation when his father Kumaichi (11th generation Imaemon) passed away in 1948.Was designated as a intangible cultural asset in 1952 under the pretext of preserving the cultural asset of colored Nabeshima ware. After repeated research, was invited to exhibit at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition when it was newly established in 1954 and exhibited every year since then.Also was selected for a Medal with a Purple Ribbon in 1967 for preserving colored Nabeshima ware techniques, the general holder of (more…)

Inoue Ryosai 2nd 二代 井上良斎

1854-1905malesumida potteryBorn as the 1st son of the 2nd generation Kawamoto Jihei in Seto. Later married the daughter of the 1st generation Inoue Ryosai, his relative, in 1875, entered the Inoue family as an adopted child, and became the 2nd generation after studying making ceramics under his father-in-law. Won an award at the 1st National Industrial Exhibition in 1877 and played a pioneering role in modern Japanese ceramics through art nouveau works that differed from the 1st generation by implementing the western ceramic influences of Galle and Daum.Traveled to Europe as a delegate representing Japan at the 1900 Paris Exhibition (more…)

Inoue Ryosai 井上良斎

1828-1899malesumida potteryWas employed to create Inuyama ware at first, but started working as a commissioned potter after being taken into the Edo residence of the Matusdaira constable from the Takasu Domain and created Raku ware. Also provided guidance to Takemoto Hayata regarding making ceramics around this time.Later became independent in 1866 and started a kiln in Imado, Asakusa. Took on the artist name of Togyokuen Ryosai in the Meiji era and mainly created floral organs with bold glazes and Sumida ware with human and other forms as artistic ceramics for exporting by Kiritsu Kosho Kaisha and Seiko. He was a (more…)

Ikeda Masuo 池田満寿夫

1934-1997maleFirst applied to Tokyo University of the Arts with hopes of becoming a painter but was not accepted. Was drawing portraits along the street to make a living but exhibited at the Jiyu Bijutsuka Kyokai Exhibition and was selected.However, began to make colored copper engravings thereafter and exhibited at the Tokyo International Print Biennale in 1957 and was selected for the first time. Won the Minister of Education’s Award at this exhibition in 1960 and entered the limelight in the field of prints by continuing to exhibit at this exhibition and winning the Governor of Tokyo’s Award, Tokyo National Museum (more…)

Ito Tozan 伊東陶山

1846-1920malekyo potteryimperial household artistBorn as the 1st son of Ito Zensuke in Sanjo Awataguchi.Studied painting under Koizumi Tozan, the Enzan style painter, around the age of 12. At this time, helped Tozan with painting teacups and creating earthen teapots, which Tozan also carried out in addition to painting to make a living, and decided to switch to ceramics. Later became an apprentice of Kameya Kyokutei, the potter in Gojozaka, and started making ceramics seriously. In addition, engaged deeply in research by visiting the kilns of the 3rd generation Takahashi Dohachi, Murata Kisui, Kanzan Denshichi, Taizan Yohei, Ichimonjiya Chubei (Hattori Gyozan), (more…)

Ito Tozan 2nd 二代 伊東陶山

1871-1937malekyo potteryBorn as the 4th son of the chief retainer of the Zeze Domain in the former Omi Province. Became the son-in-law of Fuji, the daughter of the 1st generation Tozan, and took on the surname of Ito.Since then, studied ceramic techniques from the 1st generation Tozan and became the 2nd generation. Mainly created tea bowls and exhibited and served as a judge at the Teiten and Nitten Exhibitions.Also studied painting under Utsumi Kitsudo. (more…)

Inoue Motozo 井上素三

1866-1931maletokoname potteryWas born as the 3rd son of Tomimoto Iwajiro, but was adopted by the Inoue family and took on the surname of Inoue.Trained in ceramics under the 1st generation Morishita Mokuji, the Tokoname ware potter, since he was a child and is also said to have studied under his uncle, the 2nd generation Matsumoto Sanko. He then traveled around kilns in Ise, Yamashiro, Shikoku, Bizen, and other places alone.Was invited by the Shinonome ware kiln in Nagoya in 1893, enjoyed the favor of the tea ceremony expert Shibayama Junko, and devoted himself to studying tea ceremonies. Since then, began (more…)