1873-1948 male arita porcelain Nabeshima porcelain
Succeeded the 10th generation Imaemon in 1927 and became the 11th generation. Excelled at painting and succeeded in establishing a range of works that were on par with antiques from the Edo period by pursuing the restoration and modeling of colored Nabeshima ware and Ko-Imari ware in addition to the red painting techniques used through the 10th generation. Created the foundation for the restored techniques of colored Nabeshima ware used by the present Imaemon. Upon the enthronement of King George VI of the United Kingdom in 1937, received the honor of producing the gift for Lord Drummond at the request of the Omiya Imperial Palace. Was highly regarded. japanese-ceramics.com/11th-generation-imaizumi-imaemon-%e4%bb%8a%e6%b3%89%e4%bb%8a%e5%8f%b3%e8%a1%9b%e9%96%8011%e4%bb%a3/
Imaizumi Imaemon 12th 十二代 今泉今右衛門 1897-1975
male Arita porcelain Nabeshima porcelain
Born as the son of the 11th generation Imaemon and worked in the family business. Became the 12th generation when his father Kumaichi (11th generation Imaemon) passed away in 1948. Was designated as a intangible cultural asset in 1952 under the pretext of preserving the cultural asset of colored Nabeshima ware. After repeated research, was invited to exhibit at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition when it was newly established in 1954 and exhibited every year since then. Also was selected for a Medal with a Purple Ribbon in 1967 for preserving colored Nabeshima ware techniques, the general holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1971, and the 4th Class Order of the Rising Sun in 1972. japanese-ceramics.com/12th-generation-imaizumi-imaemon-%e4%bb%8a%e6%b3%89%e4%bb%8a%e5%8f%b3%e8%a1%9b%e9%96%8012%e4%bb%a3/
Imaizumi Imaemon 13th 十三代 今泉今右衛門 1926-2001
male arita porcelain nabeshima porcelain living national treasure
The eldest son of Imaemon XII, Imaemon XIII studied at Arita Technical School and Tokyo Schhol of Fine Arts before returning to his hometown to study pottery under his father. In 1975, his father passed away and he became the 13th Imaemon. (During this time, he participated in exhibitions such as the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and the Issui Society Exhibition, was conferred the Issui Society Chairman’s Award and the Japan Kogei Association Chairman’s Award, as well as was nominated for member and regular member of both exhibitions.) After his succession, Imaemon XIII arranged solo exhibitions in various locations to commemorate the occasion, and in 1976 he established the Ironabeshima Technique Preservation Society (Important Intangible Cultural Heritage) together with highly skilled potters in his studio. Subsequently, he continued to preserve tradition while also incorporating new techniques in his constant quest for modernistic pottery. He participated in traditional arts exhibitions and other public exhibitions as well as contributed to the development of local society and the training of a new generation. Throughout the years, he was conferred numerous awards and commendations, such as the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1976; the Saga Arts and Culture Award in 1979; the West Japan Culture Award in 1984; the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Saga Award for Distinguished Service, and the Saga Newspaper Culture Award in 1986; as well as the Mainichi Arts Awards and the 1st MOA Okada Mokichi Grand Award in 1988. He was also recognized as a National Important Intangible Cultural Heritage (Living National Treasure) in 1989, received the Japan Ceramic Society Gold Award in that same year, and was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, 4th Class in 1999.Imaemon XIII held solo exhibitions not only in Japan but also in Spain, Portugal, and Paris, where he was very well received. In 1995, he received the Commendation Award of the Japanese Foreign Minister for his contributions to international cultural exchange. He inherited the traditional Ironabeshima technique, but from the beginning his aim was to achieve a modern style of pottery. Based on the “fukizumi” technique of spraying a gosu-blue glaze, he developed the “usuzumi” and “fukigasane” techniques, new to the Imaemon tradition. It is this expressiveness that has earned the modern Imaemon his high praise. japanese-ceramics.com/imaizumi-imaemon-xiii-%e4%bb%8a%e6%b3%89%e4%bb%8a%e5%8f%b3%e8%a1%9b%e9%96%80%ef%bc%8813%e4%bb%a3%ef%bc%89/
Imaizumi Imaemon 14th 十四代 今泉今右衛門 1962-
male arita porcelain nabeshima porcelain
Born as the 1st son of the 13th generation Imaemon and majored in metalwork at university due to being interested in craft art and metalwork at the time. After graduating, trained further at the studio of Suzuki Osamu, who thrived at the front line of ceramic objects in Kyoto at the time. Studied traditional techniques under his father starting in 1990 and started making works seriously. Exhibited at the Saga Prefectural Exhibition, Issuikai Exhibition, Seibu Craft Art Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Has repeatedly exhibited at the Japan Traditional Craft Art Exhibition since 1996. Became the 14th generation Imaizumi Imaemon in 2002 after his father passed away in 2001. Also appointed as the President of the Colored Nabeshima Ware Imaemon Technique Preservation Society and Director of the Imaemon Museum of Ceramic Antiques. https://japanese-ceramics.com/14th-generation-imaizumi-imaemon-%e4%bb%8a%e6%b3%89%e4%bb%8a%e5%8f%b3%e8%a1%9b%e9%96%8014%e4%bb%a3/