Monthly Archives: May 2014

Kanjiro Kawai: Jar, Bird design [Shokei kiln]

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Kanjiro Kawai　河井 寛次郎

1890 Born in Aki city, Shimane prefecture.
1914 Completed ceramic industrial course at current Tokyo Institute if technology.
　　    Worked at Kyoto research institute for ceramics.
1920 Began ceramics at Gojozaka in Kyoto. 
          Named his studio as ‘Shokeiyo’ (Shokei kiln)
          Produced pieces which got ideas from Chinese wares.
1922 Gained a great reputation after a solo exhibition in Tokyo.  
1924 Influenced by slipwares.  
1926 Involved with Mingei movement with Soetsu Yanagi and Shoji Hamada.
          Produced pieces of simple form with unique design. 
1937 Won a Grand prix at the Paris Universal Exposition. 
1949 More crative pieces were produced afterwards. 
1966 Passed away at the age of 76.

Kenkichi Tomimoto: Ciger box, porcelain, underglaze blue

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Kenkichi Tomimoto　富本 憲吉

1886 Born in Ando village, Nara prefecture. 
1904 Entered the design course at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts.
1908 Studied architecture and interior decoration in England.
1910 Returned to Japan. 
         Began woodprint and other fine arts.
1913 Began Raku ware influenced by Bernard Leach.
1919 Began white porcelain.
1926 Involved with Mingei movement with Shoji Hamada and 
         Kanjiro Kawai.
1927 Moved to Soshigaya, Tokyo.
1935 Became a professor at Musashino Art University.
1944 became a professor at Tokyo School of Fine Arts.
1946 Resigned his position. Moved to Kyoto.
1948 Solo exhibition at Ginza Kuroda Touen. 
1949 Show at Ginza Kuroda Touen. ‘Kenkichi Tomimoto- Ceramic Plaque Exhibition’
1950 Became a professor at Kyoto City University of Fine Arts.
1955 Designated the first Living National Treasure.
1961 Received the Order of Cultural Merit.
1963 Became a president at Kyoto City University of Fine Arts.
         Passed away at the age of 77.

Shoji Kamoda: Sake bottle, 1980

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Shoji Kamoda
　加守田 章二

1933 Born in Kishiwada, Osaka prefecture.

1952 Entered the department of ceramics in Kyoto City University of Arts.

1956 Graduated from the university. Moved to Hitachi, Ibaraki prefecture.

1959 Moved to Mashiko, Tochigi prefecture.

1962 Began producing ash glaze type by Anagama kiln.

1965 Ash glaze type gained attention.

1966 Awarded by the Japanese Ceramic Society. 

1969 Moved to Tono, Iwate prefecture. 

1970 Showed [Kyokusen Chomon, Curving design] for the first time.

1971 Showed [Saishoku, Colored design] for the first time.

1974 Exhibition of [Toban, ceramic plaque] at Ginza Kuroda Touen. (every year onwards)

1979 Moved to Higashi Kurume, Tokyo.

1983 Passed away at the age of 49.

Rosanjin Kitaoji: Bowl, Morning cherry tree and evening maple tree design

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Rosanjin Kitaoji　北大路 魯山人

1883 Born in Shimogamo Kitaoji, Kyoto.

1907 Began his career as a calligrapher in Tokyo.

1916 Wandered around Korea, China, Shiga, Fukui, and Kanazawa. Returned to Kyoto.

1919 Opened his antique shop in Tokyo.

1921 Began 'Bishoku club' (Gourmet's club) which serves his food with his collections.

1925 Began 'Hoshigaoka Saryo'. (Members-only restaurant)

1928 Built 'Hoshigaoka kiln' in Kamakura for producing dishes used in the restaurant.
His 　　  reputation rose as his works exhibited in department stores and the restaurant.

1935 Started focusing on producing ceramics.

1936 Left the management of the restaurant. 

1937 The first exhibition of his new works held at Ginza Kuroda Touen.

1939 The Hoshigaoka kiln was blisk holding about 50 staff around this year. 

1942 Evacuation in Ishikawa prefecture. Produced lacquer ware there.

1954 Held a solo exhibition in New York, invited by Rockefeller Foundation.

         Visited U.S. and Europe. 

1955 Declined certification of a living national treasure.

1956 Actively held exhibitions in Tokyo, Kyoto and Nagoya.

1959 Passed away at the age of 77.

Koheiji Miura: Incense burner, Celadon type

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Koheiji Miura  三浦 小平二

1933 Born in Sado, Niigata.
1955 Graduated from the department of sculpture of the Tokyo University of Arts.
1976 Received the prize of the minister for education at the Japan traditional art crafts exhibition.
1977 Awarded by the Japan ceramic society.
1990 Became a professor at the Tokyo University of Arts.
1996 Received a Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1997 Designated the Living national Treasure.
2006 Passed away at the age of 73.

Koheiji Miura: Lidded jar, Ceradon type, Buddha's hand design

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Koheiji Miura  三浦 小平二

1933 Born in Sado, Niigata.
1955 Graduated from the department of sculpture of the Tokyo University of Arts.
1976 Received the prize of the minister for education at the Japan traditional art crafts exhibition.
1977 Awarded by the Japan ceramic society.
1990 Became a professor at the Tokyo University of Arts.
1996 Received a Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1997 Designated the Living national Treasure.
2006 Passed away at the age of 73.