Toyo Kaneshige
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.
Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967) was born in Imbe, Bizen City, as the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, the head of a kiln belonging to a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional kiln families of Bizen ware.
He began making pottery under the guidance of his father and gained recognition for his hand-built hohin teapots.
From the Taisho period through the early Showa period, Kaneshige devoted himself to researching kiln loading, firing methods, traditional clay preparation, and other aspects of Bizen ware. In 1930, he succeeded in recreating the distinctive clay character of Momoyama-period Bizen ware. From around 1932, he began producing works on the potter’s wheel and also devoted considerable effort to creating tea wares.
He formed close friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa. After World War II, he was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi, further broadening the scope of his artistic expression.
Kaneshige brought new vitality to Bizen ware, which had declined from the Edo period through the Meiji era. In recognition of this achievement, he is often referred to as the “father of the revival of Bizen ware.”
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1956, he became the first Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as an instructor at the University of Hawaii Summer Session.
In 1967, when Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun visited Bizen, Kaneshige gave a pottery-making demonstration in their presence.
Toyo Kaneshige passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors include the Chugoku Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
He began making pottery under the guidance of his father and gained recognition for his hand-built hohin teapots.
From the Taisho period through the early Showa period, Kaneshige devoted himself to researching kiln loading, firing methods, traditional clay preparation, and other aspects of Bizen ware. In 1930, he succeeded in recreating the distinctive clay character of Momoyama-period Bizen ware. From around 1932, he began producing works on the potter’s wheel and also devoted considerable effort to creating tea wares.
He formed close friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa. After World War II, he was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi, further broadening the scope of his artistic expression.
Kaneshige brought new vitality to Bizen ware, which had declined from the Edo period through the Meiji era. In recognition of this achievement, he is often referred to as the “father of the revival of Bizen ware.”
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1956, he became the first Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as an instructor at the University of Hawaii Summer Session.
In 1967, when Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun visited Bizen, Kaneshige gave a pottery-making demonstration in their presence.
Toyo Kaneshige passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors include the Chugoku Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Biography
Mr. Toyo Kanashige (1896–1967; born in Inbe, Bizen City) was born the eldest son of Mr. Masayoshi Kanashige, a kiln owner and a branch of the Kanashige family, one of the six major Bizen ware families.
He began making pottery under his father’s tutelage and made a name for himself with his handmade Hōbin tea bowls.
From the Taisho era to the early Showa era, he conducted extensive research on kiln loading, firing methods, and traditional clay preparation, succeeding in reproducing the clay body of Momoyama-style Bizen ware in 1930. Around 1932, he began throwing on the potter’s wheel and devoted himself to creating tea ceramics.
He deepened his ties with Mr. Hanjiro Kawakida, Mr. Toyozo Arakawa, Mr. Kyusetsu Miwa, and others, and after the war, he expanded his artistic horizons under the influence of Mr. Rusanjin Kitadori and Mr. Isamu Noguchi.
He breathed new life into Bizen ware, which had declined from the Edo period through the Meiji era, and for this achievement, he is also known as the “founder of the revival of Bizen ware.”
In 1954, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, and in 1956, he became the first Bizen ware potter to be designated a holder of a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Property, a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as a summer lecturer at the University of Hawaii.
In 1967, he created ceramics in the presence of Emperor Showa and Empress Kōjun during their visit to Bizen.
He passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors: Chinese Culture Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Purple Ribbon Medal, Fourth Class Order of the Rising Sun with Small Ribbon, etc.
He began making pottery under his father’s tutelage and made a name for himself with his handmade Hōbin tea bowls.
From the Taisho era to the early Showa era, he conducted extensive research on kiln loading, firing methods, and traditional clay preparation, succeeding in reproducing the clay body of Momoyama-style Bizen ware in 1930. Around 1932, he began throwing on the potter’s wheel and devoted himself to creating tea ceramics.
He deepened his ties with Mr. Hanjiro Kawakida, Mr. Toyozo Arakawa, Mr. Kyusetsu Miwa, and others, and after the war, he expanded his artistic horizons under the influence of Mr. Rusanjin Kitadori and Mr. Isamu Noguchi.
He breathed new life into Bizen ware, which had declined from the Edo period through the Meiji era, and for this achievement, he is also known as the “founder of the revival of Bizen ware.”
In 1954, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, and in 1956, he became the first Bizen ware potter to be designated a holder of a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Property, a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as a summer lecturer at the University of Hawaii.
In 1967, he created ceramics in the presence of Emperor Showa and Empress Kōjun during their visit to Bizen.
He passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors: Chinese Culture Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Purple Ribbon Medal, Fourth Class Order of the Rising Sun with Small Ribbon, etc.