Kyoto, Japan. Takekazu began studying pottery making under Kawai Kanjiro, his uncle, in 1927, and received his guidance over the course of the nearly 40 years until Kanjiro’s death. He inherited mingei techniques such as gosu porcelain, cinnabar lacquerware, and ameyu and kakiyu glazes from his uncle. During this period, he worked as an assistant to Bernard Leach, who was visiting the Kanetani kiln (Kanjiro’s workshop) in 1935, and sought guidance at his side. In 1964 he traveled to Australia and New Zealand, holding one man exhibitions and classes in Sydney, Melbourne and Wellington. A three man exhibition along with Kanjiro and Kanjiro’s son Hiroji was held at Tokyo’s Takashimaya Department Store in 1966. In 1978 he toured with a commemorative 50th anniversary pottery exhibition at Takashimaya stores in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Okayama and Yokohama. Much like Kanjiro and Hiroji, Takekazu’s pieces have no signature. japanese-ceramics.com/kawai-takekazu-%E6%B2%B3%E4%BA%95%E6%AD%A6%E4%B8%80/
Pen name is Mukunoki Sunsui. Born in Masuda City, Shimane Prefecture. Studied under Kawai Kanjiro, Takekazu and Hirotsugu in 1958. On November 18, 1966, on the death of Kanjiro, he entered into mourning. He resumed his work in 1968 and built a climbing kiln in 1974 in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture. Selected for the Nihon Mingeikan Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, among others. Solo exhibitions at Kyoto Daimaru and other venues. His works are mainly celadon, white porcelain, cinnabar, cinnabar, glaze and neriage. japanese-ceramics.com/mukunoki-eizo-%E6%A4%8B%E6%9C%A8%E8%8B%B1%E4%B8%89/
Kawai Sota 河井創太 1973-
Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture
Born in Kyoto. Mingei master Kawai Kanjiro was his great-grandfather. 1996 Graduated from Kyoto Seika University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Ceramics 1997 Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Ceramics Training School 2002 Built a studio in Shigaraki, Shiga Prefecture 2004 Kobe Tanaka Art Exhibition Matsuzakaya, Osaka, Japan, solo exhibition 2005 Kobe Tanaka Art Exhibition Osaka Kintetsu Department Store, Abeno, Osaka, Japan, solo exhibition Tokyo Keio Department Store, Kawai IV Exhibition (Katojiro Kawai, Hiroji Kawai, Toshitaka Kawai, Sota Kawai) Built his own climbing kiln 2006 Fujii Gallery, Ginza, Tokyo, solo exhibition 2007 Tokyo Toubi Art Fair, solo exhibition Kobe Tanaka Art Exhibition 2008 Kawai IV Exhibition, Matsuya, Hiroshima Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Tokyo, solo exhibition 2009 Osaka Daibi Special Exhibition, Solo Exhibition
Born in Kyoto City in 1971 After graduating from Ryukoku University Junior College, he studied pottery at the Kyoto Prefectural Pottery Technical College and the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Testing Institute at Happugama in Egenji-cho, Shiga Prefecture. In April 1998, he started producing his own works at Sarukoda Kiln in Shiga Prefecture. In 1999, he held his first solo exhibition at Gion Konishi in Kyoto . Since then, he has held solo exhibitions at department stores, Kyoto Yamato Mingei, etc. 2010: Japan Folk Crafts Museum Exhibition Encouragement Award 2011: Selected for the 21st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition 2010: Selected for the National Exhibition
Chinoko Sakamoto 坂本紬野子 1992-
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Yasuhiro Okuda 奥田康博 1920 - 1999
Studied under Hamada Shoji and Kawai Kanjiro. After training in Tamba, he built a kiln in Yakutanezan, Ise City, and moved to the foot of Asama Mountain in 1971. Solo exhibitions at the Ise Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hankyu Department Store. Mainly works with zaffer glaze. Judged at the Mie Prefectural Exhibition and the Ise City Exhibition. japanese-ceramics.com/okudayasuhiro%e5%a5%a5%e7%94%b0%e5%ba%b7%e5%8d%9a/