1927-2003
male
kasama pottery
living national treasure
After graduating from university, he was inaugurated as 24th chief priest of the Tsukiso Jodo Temple in Kasama, Ibaraki prefecture in 1957.
In 1959, he began restoring the old kiln at the temple’s gate, conducting unique research into ancient pottery from China, Korea and Japan. Further, from 1967 he received training from Tamura Koichi, dedicating himself to the study of Chinese kneading and inlaying techniques in particular. He first exhibited “Renjo te obachi” at the 9th Traditional Kogei Exhibition, receiving an honorable mention award.
Thereafter, he amassed displays at every exhibition, and repeatedly amassed various awards such as the Japan Kogei Association’s Presidential Prize in 1971, the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition’s top prize in 1973, the 1974 Japan Ceramics Society Prize, the 1975 Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition NHK Members’ Prize, the 1986 Fujiwara Kei Memorial Award, a Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1988, the 1990 Japan Ceramics Society first prize, and the 1991 MOA Okada Mokichi grand prize. In 1993 he was acknowledged as a Preserver of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (a Living National Treasure).
At first he experimented with natural glazes and denaturing, but gradually Chinese Shu dynasty ceramics left a deep impression on him. He sought out the most unique of these ceramics’ kneading techniques, and also developed original works in a modern style using numerous glazes, which are highly valued for the beauty of their coloring.
