Muan Nakazato 中里無庵

1895 Born in karatsu, Saga. The second son of Taroemon Nakazato ⅩⅠ.
1914 Began ceramics under his father. Started researching old Karatsu from Momoyama period.
1927 Succession to the name. Became Taroemon Nakazato ⅩⅡ.
1966 Received a Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1969 Received the Order of the sacred treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.
1969 Handed the reigns of the family over to the first son. Named himself as Muan.
1976 Designated a Living National Treasure.
1985 Passed away at the age of 89.

Munemaro Ishiguro: Tea bowl, Opaque glaze

Sunday July 27th, 2014

Munemaro Ishiguro
1893 Born in Shinminato, Toyama prefecture.
1918 Impressed by the National treasure, Yohen Tenmoku tea bowl.
Aspired to be a ceramist.
1919 Began ceramics in Tokyo. Moved around Japan several times.
1927 Moved to Higashiyama Jagadani, Kyoto prefecture.
Met Fujio Koyama, who would become a sworn friend afterwards.
1935 Built a studio in Yase Rakuhoku, Kyoto.
1937 Won a Silver prize at the Paris Universal Exposition.
1941 The first exhibition at Ginza Kuroda Touen.
1955 Designated as a Living National Treasure.
Organized ‘Nihon Kogei Kai’ (the Japan Art Crafts Association) with
Toyozo Arakawa and Tokuro Kato.
1963 Received Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1968 Passed away at the age of 75.

Mineo Okabe: Sake cup, Nezumi Shino type

Monday July 21st, 2014

Okabe Mineo　　岡部嶺男

1919 Born in Seto, Aichi prefecture.
1937 Graduated from Seto Ceramic High School.
1938 Entered into Tokyo University of Science.
1940 Dropped out from the university. Entered into the army of inner Mongolia.
1947 Demobilization from the army. Settled in Hiradobashi, Aichi. (current Toyota city)
1949 Independently began ceramics in Hiradobashi. Married to Tatsuko.
1955 Received the award of the Japanese Ceramics Society at the first time.
1963 Started focusing on researching celadon. Moved to Nisshin, Aichi.
1965 Succeeded in producing ‘Funseiji’ (粉青瓷) Powdery Celadon.　Received a Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
1969 Dedication of a set of Celadon vases to Umenoma room of Imperial Household Agency.
1970 Succeeded in producing Yohen Beishokuji. (窯変米色瓷)
1978 Hospitalization by cerebral hemorrhage. Changed his sir name from Kato to Okabe.
1989 Exhibition of new works from recovery at Matsuzakaya department store in Nagoya.
1990 Passed away at the age of 70.
2011 Retrospective exhibition [Destiny] at Ginza Kuroda Touen.

Shoji Hamada: Tea bowl, Iron decoration

Tuesday July 15th, 2014

Shoji Hamada 　　浜田庄司

1894 Born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa prefecture. 
1916 Graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology. Entered Kyoto Ceramic Experimental Station. 
1920 Visited England invited by Bernard Leach. 
1924 Stayed in Okinawa and Kyoto after coming back in Japan.
1926 Began Mingei movement with Soetsu Yanagi and Kanjiro Kawai. 
1931 Built ascending kiln in Mashiko, Tochigi prefecture. 
1955 Designated as a Living National Treasure. 
1968 Awarded an Order of Cultural Merit 
1978 Passed away at the age of 84.