1912- 2004
male
tsuboya pottery
living national treasure
Born in Naha. Began working with ceramics at the age of 13, studying under Hamada Shoji. Later apprenticed at a kiln-equipped shop that produced ceramics typically representative of Okinawa. Went independent in 1972. Certified as a prefectural intangible cultural technology property holder for Okinawan ceramics. Recipient of the Okinawa Times Art Award, Japan Folk Art Museum Award, Kokugakai Exhibition Excellence Award, Modern Master Craftsman Exhibition Labor Minister’s Award, many others. Permanent installation at the Romanian National Folk Art Museum. Exhibited at the Japan Ceramics Masters Exhibition. The Okinawa Crafts Exhibition (sponsored by the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto), and the Okinawa Prefecture Designated Intangible Cultural Properties and Crafts Exhibition. Solo exhibitions at Okayama Tenmaya, Matsuya Ginza, Seibu Ikebukuro, and others. Ryukyu pottery was designated a nationally-important intangible cultural property (national treasure), the first such designation in Okinawa. Primarily focused on painting atop engravings of fish and crustaceans.
