Yasushi Oketani
1968 Born in Kyoto, Kyoto prefecture.
1990 Graduated from Department of Engineering in Kansai University.
1996 Succeeded in producing test piece of Yohen Tenmoku for the first time.
2001 Firstly completed Yohen Tenmoku.
2003 The first exhibition at Ginza Kuroda Touen. (every year onwards)
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.
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.
