living national treasure

Miura Koheiji 三浦小平二

1933-2006maleliving national treasureThe eldest son of Miura Kohei, head of a family working with Mumyoi-ware in Sado, Niigata prefecture. Graduated from the sculpture department of Tokyo University of the Arts in 1955. Studied under Kato Hajime. Worked as a lecturer for the ceramics course at the same university before retiring in 1971 and devoting himself full-time to ceramics. Became an assistant professor in the ceramics course of the same department in 1986. Recipient of the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition Asahi Newspaper Award. Judge for the Excellence Award at the New Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Recipient of the Ministry of Education, (more…)

Maeda Akihiro 前田昭博

1954-maleliving national treasureFrom Kawahara, Yazu. Graduated from Osaka University of Arts with a Major in Ceramics. Started Yanase kiln named by Shimizu Kosho from Todai-ji. Won the National Youth Traditional Craft Art Exhibition Kyoto Prefectural Board of Education’s Award. Won the Shinsho Craft Art Exhibition Fine Work Award and the 40th Commemorative Exhibition Shinsho Honorable Mention Award. Won the Tanabe Museum of Art Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition Award of Excellence and other awards. Sold works to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by way of the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Selected for the Chunichi International Exhibition, Asahi Craft Exhibition, Japan Traditional (more…)

Fukushima Zenzo 福島善三

1959-malekoishiwara potteryliving national treasureBorn into the family who started the Koishiwara ware kiln, which has a history of over 300 years. After attending Asakura High School and then graduating from the Department of Economics in the Faculty of Economics at Fukuoka University in 1982, succeeded the family business and became the 16th generation.Selected for the first time for the 35th Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition. Sold works to the Imperial Household Agency in 2000. Won the Top Prize at the 1991 and 2001 Seibu Craft Exhibition and the 2003 Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition. Won the Fukuoka Prefectural Culture Award (Honorable Mention (more…)

Yoshita Minori 吉田美統

1938-malekutani porcelainliving national treasureBorn to a family with generations of gold leaf Kutani ware artists, he worked as a pottery artist apprentice under his grandfather after the early death of his father, and succeeded the three generation Kinzangama workshop in 1951.He was first selected to the Ishikawa Prefecture Art Exhibition in 1964, and flourished in many shows thereafter, appearing at the Issuikai Exhibition in 1978, being displayed at the Japan Industrial Arts Exhibition in 1974, winning the Issuikai award in 1978, receiving the 1982 member award, honorable mention at the 1984 Japan Industrial Arts Exhibition, being awarded the Takamatsunomiya memorial (more…)

Yamamoto Toshu 山本陶秀

1906-1994malebizen potteryliving national treasureAfter graduating from elementary school, he began pottery in 1921 as a Bizen-ware pottery apprentice, then in 1933 he started his own independent kiln. In 1938 he became a student of Kusube Yaichi and trained in modeling and handling of the potter’s wheel.In 1939 he won the Excellence Award at the Art Crafts Exhibition of Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu Regions, and in 1948 he was certified as a preserver of his characteristic technique which was based on the potter’s wheel technique he learned from Yaichi, and had an added feeling of speed and sharpness. In 1954 he (more…)

Yamada Jozan 3rd 三代 山田常山

1924-2005maletokoname potteryliving national treasureBorn the eldest son of the second generation Yamada Jozan, he studied under his father and grandfather, who was the first generation Jozan, while attending school, in order to inherit the family business.In 1947, after the death of the first generation, his father succeeded the name as Jozan, and Minoru took on the name his father used to have, Sho-jozan (means little Jozan).In 1958, he was chosen for a prize for the first time in the Fifth Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, and he received the Grand Prix at the Brussels International Exposition in the same year. After (more…)

Tsukamoto Kaiji 塚本快示

1912-1990maleliving national treasureHe was born the son of the seventh generation Tsukamoto Gennemon, a line of pottery manufacturers in Toki who had inherited the making of Chinese Dingyao style white porcelain from generation to generation for over 200 years. He held a strong interest in manufacturing pottery from a very young age, and assisted his father in making pottery after graduating from higher elementary school.After the war, he developed his craft activities through Hineno Sakuzo. Additionally, at around 1948, he gained the favor of Koyama Fujio, known for his research on Chinese ceramics, and pursued further research on Chinese Song (more…)

Tomimoto Kenkichi 富本憲吉

1886-1963maleliving national treasureAfter graduating from Tokyo School of Fine Arts’ Design Department, he gained the favor of Howard Leach, thus starting his aspirations to become a ceramic artist. The following year, he opened his own kiln in his hometown of Ando City.He began with a focus on hand-molden earthenware replicas and other earthenware, then proceeded to research Japanese antique kilns such as those of Shigaraki and Seto. Further, he traveled to Korea and included Joseon dynasty pottery molding in his works. In 1927, he moved his kiln to Soshigaya, Tokyo, and had his works featured the following year in 1928 (more…)

Tamura Koichi 田村耕一

1916-1987malemashiko potteryliving national treasureAfter graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, he served as a teacher in Osaka for a while. He first became interested in ceramics around this time, but resigned due to his conscription.After WWII, he studied ceramics techniques in Kyoto under Tomimoto Kenkichi, then returned to his hometown, Tochinoki. In 1948 he took part in establishing Akami ware in Sano, Tochigi prefecture. The same year, he exhibited at the second Tochigi Art Festival, where he was noticed by Hamada Shoji. In 1950 he became a technical official for the Tochigi Prefectural Ceramics Coaching Center. In 1953 he (more…)

Suzuki Osamu 鈴木蔵

1934-maleshino potteryliving national treasureFollowing his graduation from High School, Suzuki Osamu began employment at Maruko Toen where he researched such topics as glaze application. At this time he also assisted his father, who was a ceramics engineer, in producing works.Thereafter, he continued to produce works with his attention on the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and the Japan Folk Crafts Exhibition. In 1959, he was first selected in the form of an honorable mention from the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Then, in 1961, they awarded him the Award of Excellence of the First Degree. He was given his first award from (more…)

Simizu Uichi 清水卯一

1916-2004malekyo potteryliving national treasureBorn into a ceramics wholesalers in Higashiyama, Kyoto, he aspired to be a pottery artist at around 15 years of age and studied under Ishiguro Munemaro.In 1951, he was chosen for a prize for the first time in the Seventh Japan Fine Arts Exhibition, and he displayed his works in the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition, which was newly started in 1955 and was presided over by the Japan Kogei Association. He received the Japan Kogei Association President Award of this exhibition in 1960.During this time, he also took part in the formation of societies such as the (more…)

Shimaoka Tatsuzo 島岡達三

1919-2007malemashiko potteryliving national treasureBorn in 1919 (eighth year of the Taisho era), the eldest son of Shimaoka Yonekichi, a braid maker from Atago, Tokyo. In his third year of high school, inspired by works of Kawai Kanjiro and Hamada Shoji he had witnessed at the Japan Folk Crafts Museum, he resolved to become a potter. In 1939, he enrolled in the ceramics department at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. The following year, he visited Mashiko to meet with Hamada, who agreed to accept Shimaoka as his apprentice. However, in 1942, following the breakout of the Pacific War, Shimaoka joined a (more…)

Sakaida Kakiemon 14th 十四代 酒井田柿右衛門

1934-2013malearita porcelainliving national treasureBorn the eldest son of the 13th generation Kakiemon, he learned pottery from his father as well as his grandfather (the 12th generation Kakiemon.) He was chosen for a prize for the first time in the 28th Issuikai Exhibition in 1966. He was also chosen for a prize for the first time in the First Western Japan Kogei Exhibition, which was newly established in the same year.From that point onward, he continued to display his works in the Saga Prefecture Exhibition and, from 1968, the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition. In 1971, he was nominated for full member (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 11th 十一代 三輪休雪

1910-2012malehagi potteryliving national treasureBorn the third son of the Miwa kiln’s ninth generation Kyusetsu (Setsudo) of Hagi ware tradition, Miwa Kyusetsu studied under his father and older brother (the 10th generation Kyusetsu: Kyuwa) after graduating middle school, and also studied under Kawakita Handeishi.After a long period of training, he took on the pottery artist name “Kyu” and displayed his work in 1955. He was chosen for a prize for the first time in the Fourth Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition in 1957, and he continued to be chosen for prizes from that point onward. In 1960, he was nominated for member (more…)

Miwa Kyusetsu 10th 十代 三輪休雪

1895 – 1981malehagi potteryliving national treasureHe was born as a child of the 9th Miwa Kyusetsu (Setudo) of the Miwa Kiln of the traditional Hagi Pottery. After he had been disciplined and influenced by his father and his grandfather (the 8th Kyusetsu: Setsuzan), he inherited his family business and in 1927 he inherited the professional name as the 10th Kyusetsu.He has worshiped and adored works of generations of Kyusetu, and devoted himself to the research of kaolin. Eventually he combined the Hagi clay and white glaze to complete the unique glaze called “Kyusetsujiro”. He has also added the character of (more…)

Matsui Kosei 松井康成

1927-2003malekasama potteryliving national treasureAfter 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 (more…)

Kondo Yuzo 近藤悠三

1902-1985maleliving national treasureKondo Yuzo was designated a living national treasure and left a remarkable legacy to Japanese ceramics. He was born in 1902 on the very site of this memorial museum, just outside the gate of Kiyomizu Temple. At the age of 12, he entered the training facility of the Ceramics Laboratory to learn to use the potter’s wheel. It was there that he met Kawai Kanjiro and Hamada Shoji.Starting when he was 19, he spent three years as an assistant to Tomimoto Kenkichi in Nara.He established his own studio in the same area when he was 22. There he (more…)

Nakazato Muan (Nakazato Tarouemon 12th) 中里無庵 (十二代中里太郎右衛門)

1895-1985malekaratsu potteryliving national treasureHe was the second son of the 11th generation Tarouemon, but his older brother went down a different path and Shigeo came to inherit the house. He gained a grasp of the basic rules of pottery at Arita Technical School, and then at Karatsu Kiln Industry Corporation and Karatsu Brick Corporation after graduation, where he worked as an engineer. After that, he temporarily became an adopted heir of the Mutsuro family, who were lumber dealers, but following his father’s death in 1924, he succeeded the name as the 12th generation Tarouemon in 1927, and in the following (more…)

Kato Hajime 加藤土師萌

1900-1968maleliving national treasureFirst studied design etc., under pottery art designer Hino Atsushi, afterwards working at Gifu Prefectural Ceramics Research Institute and starting to create pottery on the side in 1926. In 1927, he was selected for a prize for the first time in the eighth Exhibition of the Imperial Fine Arts Academy in the fourth category, the Industrial Art Category, which was newly established in the same year. Since then, he continued to exhibit his works, and took on the name “Hajime” from 1930.Additionally, he received the Grand Prize at the Paris International Exposition in 1937, and in 1940, he (more…)

Kaneshige Toyo 金重陶陽

1896–1967malebizen potteryliving national treasureBorn into the Kaneshige family, one of the six kilns of Bizen, as the son of wakigama-style potter Kaneshige Baiyo, Toyo was trained by his father from early childhood and became adept at pottery techniques, with handicrafts and engraved ornaments being his particular specialty. He further devoted himself to the study of kiln construction. In 1921, he built a German-style map kiln, allowing him to successfully fire kiln-effect pottery (yohen-mono). He went on to study pottery clay as well, successfully recreating the sheen of Momoyama-period Bizen pottery in 1930. In 1939, he also succeeded in firing scarlet-stroke (more…)

Nakashima Hiroshi 中島宏

1941-2018maleliving national treasureFrom Takeo City, Saga Prefecture. Trained at his father Shigeto’s Nakajima Pottery. Studied under Nishidai Yu of the Tokyo University of Arts. Set up a half-overground cave kiln in the site of the ancient Yumino Kiln in 1969. Won the Education Minister’s Prize at the Kyushu Yamaguchi Exhibition. Won the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition Honorable Mention and had his works procured by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. Won the Saga Newspaper Culture Honorable Mention. Won the Japan Ceramics Association Prize. Has held solo exhibitions at Aoyama Green G, Osaka Sentral G, Nihonbashi Takashimaya and elsewhere. Makes powdered celadon (more…)

Ishiguro Munemaro 石黒宗磨

1893-1968maleliving national treasureIshiguro Munemaro roamed areas such as Tokyo, Saitama, Toyama and Kanazawa as he created his pottery works, before building a kiln at Ohara, Kyoto and settling down in 1935. He then became close to individuals such as Koyama Fujio, Katō Hajime, Kaneshige Toyo, Arakawa Toyozō and Katō Tōkuro and founded the Tōri Society and the Kashiwa Society among others.His style was of free-spirited expression, and he showed outstanding talent in fields such as black glaze, iron glaze, iron painting, temmoku glaze, Karatsu ware, overglaze enamel and ash glaze.In particular, he was acknowledged as a holder of cultural property (more…)

Hara Kiyoshi 原清

1936–malekyo potteryliving national treasureAn aspiring potter, Hara Kiyoshi became an apprentice of Ishiguro Munemaro in 1954, later studying under Munemaro’s top apprentice Shimizu Uichi.He opened his own kiln in Setagaya, Tokyo in 1965, after previously participating in the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition for the first time in 1958 and becoing a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association in 1961.After opening his own kiln, he was conferred the Chairman’s Award at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition in 1969, the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1976, and the Tokyo Governor’s Award at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition in 1997. He was (more…)

Hamada Shoji 濱田庄司

1894-1978malemashiko potteryliving national treasureHamada Shoji was a renowned craftsman and representative figure in modern Japanese pottery. Born in Tokyo in 1894, he resolved to become a potter while still a student at Furitsuicchu (the Tokyo First Prefectural Jr. High School, Hibiya high school at present). After studying ceramics at the Tokyo Higher Technical School (present-day Tokyo Institute of Technology), Hamada joined the Kyoto Municipal Ceramic Laboratory, where he would meet his lifelong friend, Kawai Kanjiro. As Hamada later summarized the narrative arc of his career, “I found the path in Kyoto, began my journey in England, studied in Okinawa, and (more…)

Fujiwara Yu 藤原雄

1932-2001malebizen potteryliving national treasureBorn as the eldest son of Living National Treasure for bizen ware Fujiwara Kei, after graduating from university, Fujiwara worked for a time as a magazine editor, but was convinced by his father and Oyama Fujio to return home where he began his tutelage in ceramics under his father.After this, Fujiwara went on to produce work after work, presenting them in exhibitions by Japan kogei association, the Gendai Nihon Togei, and the Issuikai, eventually becoming a member of the latter in 1960, and becoming a regular member of Japan kogei association the following year.Fujiwara won the grand (more…)

Fujiware Kei 藤原啓

1899-1983malebizen potteryliving national treasureStarting out with a passion for literatary studies, Fujiwara began submitting haiku and poems throughout his elementary and junior high school years to various publications and winning awards for some of his submissions. Leaving for Tokyo at the age of 19, he began working as an editor for Hakubunkan while also attending university and was producing poems under the pen name Fujiwara Keiji. However, due to poor health, he abandoned his aspirations of becoming a writer of literature and returned to his hometown in 1973.After returning home, Fujiwara began to practice pottery at the suggestion of Manyoshu (more…)

Fujimoto Yoshimichi 藤本能道

1919-1992maleliving national treasureAfter graduating from art school ad being admitted to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology’s industrial arts engineering training center, Fujimoto entered into an apprenticeship under Kato Hajime, and began producing works alongside Tomimoto Kenkichi as his pottery assistant in 1938.Fujimoto won the Kofukaiten Kofukai Kogeisho Award in 1938, and after World War II exhibited works primarily in the various exhibitions held by the Japan Ceramics Society. Fujimoto won an award from the society as well as the silver prize from the International Academy of Ceramics in Geneva in 1956. Furthermore, though Fujimoto for a (more…)

Kato Takuo 加藤卓男

1917-2005maleliving national treasureHis father was Kato Kobei the 5th, who presided over the Maruko Pottery Company. Purchased by the government for the Nitten Special Prize. Awarded the Modern Craft Prize at the Japan Modern Crafts Exhibition. Awarded the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition Ceramics Prize. Awarded the Tokai TV Culture Award for his research on ancient Persian ceramics, and the Chunichi Culture Award for his teaching and training of Mino ceramics. Councilor and judge at the Japan Modern Industrial Exhibition, the Chunichi International Exhibition, and the Nitten exhibition. President of the Mino Ceramic Society. Councilor of the Japan Federation of Industry (more…)

Kato Kozo 加藤孝造

1935-malemino potteryliving national treasureBorn in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture. Studied under Kato Koubei and Arakawa Toyozo. In 1954, he was accepted for a Western-style painting at the Nitten Exhibition. Since then, he has received the Asahi Prize at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, the highest award at the First Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition, the Kato Kobei Prize, and the Japan Ceramic Society Prize. Councilor and judge at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition and the Chunichi International Exhibition. He is a judge for the Tokai Traditional Arts and Crafts Exhibition. He is a regular member of the (more…)

Tokuda Yasokichi 3rd 三代 徳田八十吉

1933-2009malekutani porcelainliving national treasureFrom Ishikawa Prefecture. Real name is Masahiko. Graduated from the Kanazawa College of Art. Learned from his father Yasokichi. Issui-kai Exhibition prize winner and judge. His works have been procured by the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Has received the NHK President’s Prize at the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, as well as the Craft Association President’s Prize, and is a regular member. Became the third Yasokichi in 1988. Focuses on colored glaze, brilliant glaze, and blue glaze. (more…)

Kinjo Jiro 金城次郎

1912- 2004maletsuboya potteryliving national treasureBorn 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 (more…)

Imaizumi Imaemon 13th 十三代 今泉今右衛門

1926-2001malearita porcelainnabeshima porcelainliving national treasureThe eldest son of Imaemon XII, Imaemon XIII studied at Arita Technical School and Tokyo Schhol of Fine Arts before returning to his hometown to study pottery under his father.In 1975, his father passed away and he became the 13th Imaemon. (During this time, he participated in exhibitions such as the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and the Issui Society Exhibition, was conferred the Issui Society Chairman’s Award and the Japan Kogei Association Chairman’s Award, as well as was nominated for member and regular member of both exhibitions.)After his succession, Imaemon XIII arranged solo exhibitions in various (more…)

Inoue Manji 井上萬二

1929-malearita porcelainliving national treasureLearned pottery from Sakaida Kakiemon and Okugawa Tadaemon. Selected for and won awards at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Received the Saga Prefecture Art & Culture Merit Award, and the Saga Prefectural Government Merit Award. Japan Kogei Association member. Director of the Saga Ceramics Society and the West Japan Kogei Association. His work with porcelain was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property in ‘95. (more…)

Ito Sekisui 5th 五代 伊藤赤水

1941-malemumyoi potteryliving national treasureBorn 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 (more…)

Isezaki Jun 伊勢崎淳

1936-malebizen potteryliving national treasureStudied under his father Yozan. First selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition in 1961. Featured in the Bizen Thousand Year Exhibition held by the Mainichi Newspaper, the Bizen/Hagi exhibitions held by the Gotoh Museum, theContemporary Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition held by the National Taiwan Museum, and the first All-Japan Traditional Craft Selection Exhibition, among others. Worked as a professor at Okayama University. Has held personal exhibitions at locations including Ginza Matsuya and Shinjuku Isetan. Received the Kaneshige Toyo Award. Japan Kogei Association member. (more…)

Arakawa Toyozo 荒川豊蔵

1894-1985malemino potteryliving national treasureAround 1586, Shino ware suddenly appeared in records of tea ceremonies, being used as the bowl The Shino ware was being used as the tea bowl in tea ceremonies. During the Keicho period, problems with production efficiency and other issues caused a decline and eventually a complete halt in production.Arakawa Toyozo, after experiencing much difficulty, revived the tradition of Shino ware, which became a success. He was eventually named a Living National Treasure and is regarded as one of the finest potters in history.Born on March 21st, 1894. Educated by Miyanaga Tozan, went to Kamakura and aided (more…)