1836-1916
male
kutani porcelain
Born the second son of Asai Choemon of the Kaga Daishoji Domain, he studied Japanese painting under Horibun Ishiki and Kojima Harcho, and handled coloring at the Kutani Ware Miyamoto Kiln.
In 1866, when the domain presented a set of tea ceremony tools to Mr. Nijo, he was in charge of its production. The feudal lord presented him with the inscription “Soseitei Ikki,” and he became a master of the “akae saibyou” style of painting.
In the beginning of the Meiji Era, he adopted Eiriki Wazen’s “kinrade” technique to create “kinrade akae,” giving new direction to Kutani ware.
He also traveled to Kyoto and Osaka to expand the sales channels of Kutani ware, and after returning home (1879), he worked as the director of the painting department at Kutani Pottery Company, putting his efforts toward reviving Kutani ware.
