1738-1799 In 1738 (Year 3 of the Genbun era), the first Rokubei was born as Koto Kuritaro in Yosumi Village in the Shimakami District of Settsu Province (modern day Takatsuki, Osaka), son of the farmer Koto Rokuzaemon. During the Kannen era (1748-51) he studied pottery making under Ebiya Seibei in Gojozaka, Kyoto. Afterwards, in 1771 (Meiji era year 8) he became independent and took the name Rokubei. Through the "Kiyomizu" seal he received from his teacher Ebiya Seibei, he came to be called Kiyomizu. He was awarded a seal with the character 清 (pure) to use as his mark as well as the pen name "Gusai". The first works were primarily tea cups, making use of his specialty characteristic Kaname and Herame patterns. He expanded to create Shigaraki, Seto-lacquer (iron lacquer), Gohon, and blue and white porcelain works. Prince Miyamasa Hitonori of the Myoho Temple commissioned him to make black Raku ware tea cups, for which he recieved the "Rokume" seal. He was thus added to the prince's culture salon, where he became acquainted with artists Maruyama Okyo and Matsumura Goshun, and the writers Ueda Akinari and Murase Kotei. He undertook making literary-styled tea sets for Akinari and Kotei, and in his later years was highly praised for his Ryoro teapots. He died in 1799 (year 11 of the Kansei era). Presently, the 8th generation of Rokubei continues to make pottery. chano-yu.com/famous-japanese-potters-and-marks/#kiyomizu-rokubei
Takahashi Dohachi 高橋道八
Otagaki Rengetsu 太田垣蓮月 1791-1875
Awata pottery She was a Buddhist nun who is widely regarded as one of the greatest Japanese poets of the 19th century. She was adopted at a young age by the Otagaki family. It is said that she didn’t live a happy life because she lost her adoptive father and five brothers from illness. She married, but her husband died soon after. She remarried but lost this husband too from illness after only four years, as well as her young son and three young daughters. She joined the temple Chion-in and became a nun, taking Rengetsu (“Lotus Moon”) as her Buddhist name. She made pottery inscribed with her poems with a spike in order to make a living. Fortunately her products became popular and she became very wealthy. However she continued to live a simple life. She donated a large amount of money during a famine in the 1850’s and devoted herself to saving the poor late in life. japanese-ceramics.com/otagaki-rengetsu-%e5%a4%aa%e7%94%b0%e5%9e%a3%e8%93%ae%e6%9c%88/ chano-yu.com/famous-japanese-potters-and-marks/#otagaki-rengetsu
Style of Otagaki Rengetsu 太田垣蓮月
Kondo Yuzo 近藤悠三 1902-1985 Living National Treasure 人間国宝
Kondo Yuzo was designated a living national treasure and left a remarkable legacy to Japanese ceramics. He was born in 1902 on the very site of this memorial museum, just outside the gate of Kiyomizu Temple. At the age of 12, he entered the training facility of the Ceramics Laboratory to learn to use the potter’s wheel. It was there that he met Kawai Kanjiro and Hamada Shoji. Starting when he was 19, he spent three years as an assistant to Tomimoto Kenkichi in Nara. He established his own studio in the same area when he was 22. There he devoted himself to refining his artistic vision and perfecting his technique. Thus he was able to reach new heights in his work and gained a reputation as the finest master of the blue and white porcelain known as sometsuke. In 1924, he attended the Western-style painting institute of the Kansai Art Institute, where he improved his painting techniques. In 1928, his work was selected for the first time at the 9th Teiten exhibition, and since then he has been active at both the Teiten and Shin Bunten exhibitions, receiving a special prize at the 3rd Shin Bunten exhibition in 1939. After the war, he joined the New Artistic Crafts Association, which was founded by Kenkichi Tomimoto in 1951. He also participated in Japan Kogei Association, which was established in 1955, and exhibited his works at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition. He became a professor at Kyoto City University of Arts in 1958, where he taught the younger generation, and became the president of the university in 1965. In 1977, he was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for his blue and white technique.
Other examples:
Shinoda Giichi 篠田義一 1924-2010
Born in Nagano Prefecture. Began working under Kondo Yuzo in Kyoto. In 1946, he opened a climbing kiln in Asama Onsen, Matsumoto City.Exhibited at the Nitten from 1949 to 1961. He was selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1962 and has been a regular member of Japan Kogei Association. Awarded Japan Kogei Association Prize. Awarded the Excellence Prize at the Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Crafts and was a judge at the same exhibition. He was also awarded the Asahi Ceramic Art Prize, and was a judge and chairman of the judging committee for the same exhibition, Chunichi International Exhibition. Advisor to the Nagano Prefecture Craft Association. President of the Nagano Prefecture Ceramic Society. Held a solo exhibition at Takashimaya Department Store in Nihonbashi every year since 1965 and held the Ginsai 50th Ceramics Exhibition in 1975 and the 40th Anniversary Exhibition in 1983. Focuses on blue and white ceramics.
Yamazaki Koyo 初代 山崎光洋 1890-1979
From Ishikawa Prefecture. After assisting with painting at a Kutani ware studio, entered the world of craft art. However, became a pupil of Yamamoto Shunkyo from Kyoto to become a Japanese painter through painting ceramics. Later went back to painting ceramics and started making ceramics in Kyoto. Repeatedly selected for and won awards at the Kyoto Craft Art Exhibition, Teiten Exhibition, Shin Bunten Exhibition, and other exhibitions. Certified as an Art Preservationist in 1943 and a Technical Preservationist the following year. Mainly exhibited repeatedly in the Nitten Exhibition after World War II. Participated in the establishment of the Kyoto Traditional Potter Society in 1960 and also thrived as a Founder and Director. Work style was a result of researching Jun ware, Sancai, cinnabar, and other Chinese styles and left vases, pots, incense burners, and other masterpieces.