CRAFT ARTISTS

The gallery showcases a collection of ceramics, lacquerware, glass, textiles, woodworks and bamboo works produced by over 50 rising craft makers and artists who are attracting attention for their combination of tradition and innovation, and eager to share their work around the world.

EIJIRO TOKUNAGA

Ceramics | Arita, Saga Pref. | Born in 1978

Trained in Kyoto and inherited “Tokko Kiln” in Arita, Saga Prefecture as a thrower. His specialty is carbonized firing, using various clay and glazes to make ceramics.

RYOSUKE ANDO

Ceramics | Seto, Aichi Pref.

A ceramic artist living in Aichi Prefecture. Having studied ceramics in Seto, he pursues his original shapes of beauty. Mainly using the mold casting method, he continues making ceramics.

RYOTARO KATO

Ceramics | Gifu Pref.

A ceramic artist based in Tajimi, Gifu Prefecture, Ryotaro Kato is the eighth generation of the “Kobeigama” Kiln family. He is deeply passionate about using “ana-gama” (literally, “cave”) kilns and produces mainly Mino tea ceramics in styles such as Shino, Setoguro and Oribe. He is also well versed in the tea ceremony and calligraphy, and conveys the beauty of Japan’s unique culture through his works. While building on tradition, he continues to actively refine his own sensibilities and take on the challenge of new projects.

TAKEYOSHI MITSUI

Glass | Toyama Pref.

A glass artist living in Toyama Prefecture. A good glass blower who is pursuing new expressions with a unique color sense.

EIKO TANAKA

Lacquerware | Kaga, Ishikawa Pref. | Born in 1983

A woodturner living in Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. She studied under Torao Nakajima, handling all works by herself, from wood turning to lacquer painting. With the unique sensibility of a woman, she creates beautiful works.

HIDEKI YAMAMOTO

Ceramics | Takeo, Saga Pref.

A ceramic artist based in Takeo, Saga Prefecture. He is making pottery at the foot of Kurokami Mountain, a place richly endowed by nature. Studied under Mr. Shiro Banura who inherited the spirit of Rosanjin Kitaoji, he continues to create tableware for food.

CHIEMI OGURA

Bamboo | Kyoto Pref.

A bamboo craft artist living in Kyoto. One of the features of her works is the delicate weaving. By making the most of the beauty of traditional patterns through weaving and decorative techniques, she continues to create works that are close to Japan’s nature.

NOBUYUKI KIMURA

Ceramics | Kyoto Pref.

A thrower living in Kyoto Prefecture. Born and raised in a ceramic family. His works are characterized by his expression of glaze, pursuing unique color expressions by repeatedly blending and test firing many times.

SYO FUJITA

Ceramics | Bizen, Okayama Pref.

A ceramic artist living in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, Mr. Fujita, after studying general arts, entered the ceramics field and studied under Mr. Kazuya Hashimoto. He continues to create works that add creativity to everyday life, while conveying the charm of “yo-no-bi (which means beauty in everyday objects)” of Bizen ware.

TAKAO TAHARA

Ceramics | Hagi, Yamaguchi Pref.

A cearmic artist living in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, he was born and grew up in one of the Fukawa kilns of Hagi ware which has a long history. Based on the traditional style using daidotsuchi (clay that is produced in Daido, Yamaguchi Prefecture), he pursues his new way of glazing expressions.

KATSUNORI SAWA

Ceramics | Shigaraki, Shiga Pref.

A ceramic artist based in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture. Having studied under renown potter Mr. Goro Suzuki, Mr. Sawa creates works in the style of Oribe and Shigaraki among others using a wood-fired kiln. His works are both powerful and expressive and are always interesting.

TAKI NAKAZATO

Ceramics | Karatsu, Saga Pref.

Ceramic artist living in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture. At the Ryutagama kiln, founded by his father Takashi and one of the most famous kilns in the area, Taki continues to use the various techniques of Karatsu ware to design and produce table ware that fits in with our daily life and complements today’s cuisine.

MASAHIRO SAKAKURA

Ceramics | Hagi, Yamaguchi Pref.

Living and working in Nagato, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Masahiro Sakakura represents the next generation ceramic artists at the Sakakura Shinbei-gama Kiln, a Fukawa-hagi kiln with nearly 360 years of history. In addition to using traditional Hagi clay such as Daido-tsuchi, he also uses clay that he collects himself close to home to create his work. He makes use of the texture of the materials to create a wide range of works, including ceramics for use in tea ceremonies and various objets d’art.

HIROSHI TARUTA

Ceramics | Seto, Aichi Pref.

A ceramic artist living in Aichi Prefecture. He studied ceramics in Seto. While utilizing a technique called “hotarude” which creates translucent patterns, he continues to pursue his original aesthetic expressions full of limpidity.

TAIGA MORI

Ceramics | Bizen, Okayama Pref.

A ceramic artist living in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture. He inherited the kiln from Furai Mori, his grandfather and Bizen ware artist. He aims for creations that reflects the strength of nature of Bizen’s clay and stone using the potter’s wheel and tebineri (hand-building) which is handed down by his grandfather.