Yearly Archives: 2014

Rosanjin Kitaoji: Bucket-shaped flower vase, Bizen type

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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.

Handeishi Kawakita: Tea pot

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Handeishi Kawakita  川喜田 半泥子

1878 Born in Osaka prefecture. 
1879 Succeeded to the name of Kyudayu Masanori.
1903 Became the director of the Hyakugo bank.
1910 Became a member of Mie prefectural assembly.
1912 Began ceramics as hobby.
1919 Became the first president of the Hyakugo bank.
1925 Built a studio in Tsu, Mie prefecture. Started focusing on making ceramics.
1934 Named the studio as ‘Deibutsu do’ and used it as his pen-name too.
1942 Organized ‘Karahine kai’, and lead and coached Toyo Kaneshige, Kyuwa Miwa,
         and Toyozo Arakawa. 
1946 Moved to Hironaga, and built a ceramic studio called ‘Hironaga Touen’.
1957 Published a catalogue cerebrating 80 years old.
1963 Passed away at the age of 84.

Fujio Koyama: Sake cup, Tanegashima type

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Fujio Koyama 小山 冨士夫

1900 Born in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture.
1920 Entered Hitotsubashi University.
1925 Moved to Seto. Started learning ceramics.
1927 Aspired to be a ceramic artist.
1932 Became an editorial staff for a journal of antique porcelain.
1933 Became an investigator of important art pieces, commissioned by the ministry of education. 
1946 Japanese ceramic society was established. Became a director.
1952 Worked for a section of intangible culture in a committee of cultural protection.
1961 Resigned from his position.
1966 Built his kiln in Kamakura, restarted producing ceramics.
1967 Became a director of Japan Art Crafts association.
1973 Moved to Toki, Gifu prefecture. Built ‘Hananoki Kiln’.
1975 Passed away at the age of 75.

Fujio Koyama: Sake cup, Hagi type 'at Shinbei kiln'

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Fujio Koyama 小山 冨士夫

1900 Born in Kurashiki, Okayama prefecture.
1920 Entered Hitotsubashi University.
1925 Moved to Seto. Started learning ceramics.
1927 Aspired to be a ceramic artist.
1932 Became an editorial staff for a journal of antique porcelain.
1933 Became an investigator of important art pieces, commissioned by the ministry of education. 
1946 Japanese ceramic society was established. Became a director.
1952 Worked for a section of intangible culture in a committee of cultural protection.
1961 Resigned from his position.
1966 Built his kiln in Kamakura, restarted producing ceramics.
1967 Became a director of Japan Art Crafts association.
1973 Moved to Toki, Gifu prefecture. Built ‘Hananoki Kiln’.
1975 Passed away at the age of 75.

Tokuro Kato: Tea bowl, Shino type

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Tokuro Kato 加藤　唐九郎
1898 Born in Seto, Aichi prefecture.
1914 Began involving with ceramic industry.
1933 Published an essay, ‘Kiseto’.
1934 Published ‘Ceramics dictionary’
1935 Moved to Nagoya, Aichi.
1950 Solo exhibition ‘Seto-guro tea bowls’ at Ginza Kuroda Touen.
1954 Joined Tori-kai.
1955 Organized Nihon Kogei Kai’ (the Japan Art Crafts Association.) with Toyozo Arakawa and Munemaro Ishiguro.
1960 ‘Einin no tsubo’ scandal
1964 Solo exhibition – Commemoration of Tokyo Olympics-
1972 Published ‘Genshoku ceramic dictionary’.
1982 The last solo exhibition ‘The world of Tokuro Kato’.
1985 Passed away at the age of 87.

Toyozo Arakawa: Sake cup, Shino type

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Toyozo Arakawa 荒川 豊蔵

1894 Born in Tajimi, Gifu prefecture.
1922 Moved to Kyoto. Met Rosanjin Kitaoji.
1927 Moved to Kamakura. Worked at Rosanjin’s Hoshigaoka Kiln.
1933 Quit Hoshigaoka Kiln. Moved to Mutabora in Mino Ogaya, Gifu prefecture, and built his studio.
1941 The first solo exhibition held at Umeda Hankyu department store. (Curated by Ginza Kuroda Touen)
1946 Built Suigetsu kiln in Tajimi.
1955 Designated the Living national treasure.
1971 Received the Order of Cultural Merit.
1977 Published a collection of essays.
1985 Passed away at the age of 91.