imperial household artist

Miyagawa Kozan 1st (Makuzu Kozan 1st) 初代 宮川香山 (初代 真葛香山)

1842-1916malemakuzu potterymushiake potteryimperial household artistBorn the fourth son of Miyagawa Chozo, his older brother Chohei was first in line as successor to their father, but when Chohei died at a young age, Kozan stepped into the place left by his brother and took over the family business at the age of 19. He had studied painting under Daigado Yoshiaki of Sorinji prior to returning to succeed his father in 1868, after which he went to Okayama for technical guidance at the Mushiake kiln. Opened a kiln in Yokohama in 1971 with the aim of exporting ceramics (known from then on (more…)

Seifu Yohei 3rd 三代 清風与平

1850-1914malekyo potteryimperial household artistBorn to the Okada family in Harima Province. Sought to be a painter as a youth and studied Japanese painting and nanga under Tanomura Chokunyu in Osaka. However, gave up on painting due to illness and transitioned to ceramics by becoming an apprentice of the 2nd generation Seifu Yohei in Kyoto. Used the artist name of Seizan to make ceramics at the time.Later married the younger sister of the 2nd generation and became a son-in-law of the Seifu family (Shinkai family). Became the 3rd generation Yohei upon the passing of the 2nd generation in 1878. Studied the (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…)

Itaya Hazan 板谷波山

1872-1963maleGraduated from Tokyo Art School (Tokyo University of the Arts) in the Sculpting Department.Learned alongside students such as Okakura Tenshin and Takamura Koun.He built a home at Tabata which also doubled as a workshop, and after installing a downdraft style kiln, he devoted himself to creating pottery in order to utilize the fruits of the research on pottery he had engaged in up until that point.In 1907, he exhibited his work, “Jisei Kinshimon Kesshoyu Vase” at the Tokyo Industrial Exposition and won third place prize.After winning many prizes, he was appointed an Imperial Household Artist in 1934. In 1945, his (more…)