Author

Yasuto Abe

Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1938. After turning from Western-style painting to ceramics, he pursues original forms and firing techniques based on his research into antique ceramics such as ancient Bizen ware.

Takashi Takatsuru

Born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. A Bizen ware artist who studied under Kanashige Sozan and Kanashige Yukuni, and established his independent practice in 1996 by building a climbing kiln in Shitani, Bizen City.

Michiaki Kaneshige

Born in Ine, Bizen City, in 1934. The eldest son of Living National Treasure Kinjo Toyo. Studying under his father, he produced a wide range of works, including tea ceramics and geometric sculptures.

Kaneto Kinjū

1896–1967. The "Restorer of Bizen Ware," who revived the traditional techniques of Bizen pottery. In 1956, he became the first Bizen ware artist to be designated a Living National Treasure.

Jun Isesaki

1936–2026. Second son of Haruyama Isezaki. He reconstructed a semi-underground anagama kiln with his elder brother, Mitsuru Isezaki, and was designated the fifth Living National Treasure of Bizen ware in 2004. He is also known for his ceramic walls and sculptural works.

Kei Fujiwara

1899–1983. Studied firing techniques under Kanemori Toyo and established a simple, expansive artistic style. In 1970, designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Property).

Shinjiro Aiga

Born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1972. After studying at the Bizen Ceramic Art Center, built a fully underground anagama kiln in 2003. The following year, also built a semi-underground anagama kiln.

Hidehisa Yamamoto

1906–1994. A Bizen ware artist hailed as a “master of the potter’s wheel” for his exceptional wheel-throwing techniques. In 1987, he was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Property).

Yuji Sekwan

Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1988. After graduating from Tohoku University of Art and Technology, studied under Jun Isesaki. Went independent in 2017 and established a kiln in Hitachiomiya City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Kanashige Iwa

Born in Bizen City in 1965. The eldest son of ceramicist Michiaki Kaneshige. He studied ceramics under the Kaneshige family before becoming an independent ceramic artist in 1995.

Kaku Mitsuhide

Studying under Kanashige Toyo and Yamamoto Tokei, he developed a unique expressive style, including Ebihizen and Kinsai Bizen, drawing on his experience with maki-e. Designated Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.

Koichiro Isesaki

Born in Bizen City in 1974. Eldest son of Jun Isesaki. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University in 1994, he moved to the United States and studied under Jeff Shapiro. Since returning to Japan, he has been making pottery under his father’s guidance since 2000.

Koji Nakahara

Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1978. Studied under Fumio Kawabata and honed his craft at the Kanashige Rito Ceramic Art Museum. Established his independent practice in 2010 and moved to Bizen City in 2023. Full member of the Japan Association of Craftsmen.

Mitsuteru Hata

A ceramic artist and local historian born in the home of the chief priest of Tenjin Shrine in Ine, Bizen City. He is known for his work on decorative pieces such as ho-ni bottles and his research on "Kin-Bizen" firing techniques, and he also devoted himself to preserving the culture of Bizen ware.

Kosuke Kaneshige

Born in Bizen City in 1943. The third son of pottery master Kanashige Toyo. After studying sculpture, he creates a wide range of works, from tea and flower vessels to sculptural objects. In 2012, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.

Kanashige Mitsu

Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1945. Eldest son of Kanashige Soyama. Studied under his father and established his own studio in 1979. He pursues understated forms and deep, intense firing.

Makoto Nakamura

Born in 1949 in Bizen City as the eldest son of Rokuro Nakamura. He studied Bizen ware under his father and spent many years working at the kiln of Michiaki Kanae, honing his craft.

Masahiro Akitani

Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1968. Studied under Jun Isesaki for 10 years before establishing a kiln and going independent in Bizen in 2008. Has been selected and awarded in traditional craft exhibitions and other competitions.

Kanashige Mitsuhiro

Born in 1988 in Ine, Bizen City, to the family of Kanashige Toshien. Studied at the Bizen Ceramic Art Center and fired their first kiln in 2020. Awarded the Shubi Prize at the 2023 “Form in Chanoyu” Exhibition.

Nakamura Rokuro

Born in Bizen City in 1914. Influenced by the teachings of Kanamei Toyo, he established the Rokuro Kiln and became independent in 1961. He is a ceramic artist known for Bizen sake vessels.

Ryuichi Kakizaki

Born in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1950. After transitioning from design to pottery, he studied under Jun Isesaki and others. He established his own practice in 1985 and was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture in 2019.

Juro Harada

1941–2024. Deeply studied Old Bizen ware, pursuing powerful forms centered on corded vessels. Recipient of the Japan Ceramic Association Award in 2000.

Sohei Takashima

Born in 1991 in Kushiro, Hokkaido. Studied under Jun Isesaki before establishing an independent studio in Ushimado, Setouchi. Recipient of awards including the Japan Ceramic Association Contemporary Ceramics Encouragement Award.

Kaneshige Soyama

1909–1995. Younger brother of Kanemoto Toyo. He devoted himself to researching techniques such as flame-dashed firing in electric kilns and was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture in 1983.

Tadashi Yoshimoto

After studying under Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara for many years, he established his own kiln and became independent in Idani, Bizen City, in 1975. In 2007, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.

Mori Toga

Born in Bizen City in 1937. A ceramic artist who pursued the reproduction of ancient Bizen large-kiln firing, achieving long-duration firing with the Kanpu Large Kiln and the new Kanpu Large Kiln.

Yotaro Isesaki

Born in Bizen City in 1995. Eldest son of Isesaki Shin. After graduating from Kyoto Seika University, he studied under his father and further honed his craft at the Tajimi City Ceramic Design Institute.

Yu Fujiwara

1932–2001. Eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. Known for his bold style and hailed as a “master of pottery,” he became a Living National Treasure in 1996, the second generation of his family to receive the honor.

Kanashige Yukikuni

The third son of Kanashige Sozan. He established his own studio in 1980 after apprenticing under his father. He primarily produces tea ceremony ceramics such as tea bowls and water droppers, and in 2019, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.

Artists