1941-
male
mumyoi pottery
living national treasure
Born in Sado County, Niigata Prefecture. He was born as the eldest son of the fourth generation of Sekisui, whose real name is Yoichi. After graduating from Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1966, he studied Mumyoi ware under his grandfather, the third generation, and was selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1972. In 1976, he succeeded to the name of Sekisui V. He continued to research and refine his techniques.
In 1985, he was awarded the Prince Chichibu Cup for the best work at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition.
In 1993, to celebrate the wedding of the Crown Princess, Niigata Prefecture donated a “Mumyoi pottery Jar” to the Owada family, the family home of the Crown Princess, as a celebratory gift.
On July 10, 2003, Mumyoi ware, a craft technique, was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property, and Ito Sekisui V was recognized as its holder (Living National Treasure). Mumyoi ware uses a technique called “neriage,” in which clay of different colors is layered to make a kind of rolled sushi, and then the cross sections of the rolled sushi are cut into round slices and arranged to form the shape of a plate or pot. The unique striped patterns and floral patterns are characteristic of Ito Sekisui V.
