Kenichi Iwase, Ceramic Artist

I was entranced by art as a child and became particularly enamored of ceramics. I left college without graduating, moved to Kasama City in Ibaraki, apprenticed with Kousei Matsui, a Living National Treasure, and started my ceramic arts journey. Later on, I moved to Tama City in Tokyo and apprenticed under Seimei Tsuji. Finally, in 1972, I became an independent artist, setting up my own studio and kiln, and living in Hachioji City.
After that, I studied all manner of Japanese and Asian ceramics, past and present, learning how to incorporate and express their best features, which ultimately culminated in the design and development of my own style of ceramic art.
1946 born in Tokyo 1966 apprenticed to Kousei Matsui 1968 apprenticed to Seimei and ___ Tsuji 1972 establish my own studio and kiln 1985 display in the Eight Japanese Ceramic Arts Exhibition and many times subsequently 1986 solo show at Matsuya department store, Ginza, and many times since 1998 display in the Forty-fifth Japanese Traditional Arts Exhibition and many times since 2006 became a member of the Japan Arts and Crafts Association 2009 invited member of the Third Kikuchi Biannual Show 2019 received Japan Folk Art Association award 2020 invited to display at the Thirteenth Modern Tea Bowl Exhibition

bowl (kohiki kakewake)

31.0 wide, 26.5 cm tall, 198,000 yen (tax included)

plate (kohiki)

25.0 wide, 4.5 cm tall, 44,000 yen (tax included)

3. flower vase (tetsue hakeme)

14.2 wide, 19.0 tall, 38,500 yen (tax included)

4. Japanese tea bowl (kohiki)

13.5 wide, 9.5 cm tall, 110,000 yen (tax included)

Ryuhei Hakozaki, Ceramic Artist

I use Kutani white porcelain clays when designing pieces and decorating them with brush strokes over and under glazes. Beginning with Yoshiharu Doi, the well-known food critic, I’ve been privileged to work with many food and cooking professionals on the design and production of tableware. Lately, I’ve also created pieces with lively brush work for display.
Yoshiharu Doi uses my tableware in three of his cooking books and my dishes are used at well-known restaurants in Ginza, Nagano and Kyoto.

1958 born in Nara prefecture 1980 graduated from Hokkaido University of Education 1982 completed course of studies at Kyoto City Industrial Training Center 1982 studied with Toyo Kobayashi at Kasama City 1988 founded a kiln in Nara prefecture 1991 exhibited at Maronie Gallery 1996 became a member of the Japan Crafts Design Association
I’ve displayed my work at Takashimaya in Kyoto, Matsuya in Ginza and Mitsukoshi in Nihonbashi.

plate with leaping brush mark

33 x 34 x 3 cm, 55,000 yen (tax included)

plate with moving brush mark

33 x 35 x 3 cm, 55,000 yen (tax included)

red and gold bowl

30 x 4.8 cm, 26,000 yen (tax included)

red and gold large plate

31.5 x 5.5 cm, 29,000 yen (tax included)

Yukiyoshi Kihara, Osaka Karaki Joinery and Traditional Crafts Artist

Karaki or China hardwoods were introduced to Japan after envoys were sent to Tang Dynasty China during the Nara period, a time when hardwoods were hard uncommon in Japan. Specialized tools were needed to work the hardwoods because they were so hard to carve, and guilds appeared to make the needed tools. About the same time, Osaka Karaki Joinery, a craft art, developed in Japan.
Using traditional skills and materials, I strive to marry traditional themes with modern needs and tastes in my work.

1953 born Osaka recognized Artist of Traditional Crafts by MITI

carved and lacquered plate

36.5 x 21 x 3.5 cm, 162,000 yen (tax included)

handmade Karaki ballpoint pen

wooden clip 13,600 yen; decorative clip 8,640 yen; and metal clip 4,320 yen (tax included)

carved open necklace with traditional woven pouch

4.5 x 6.7 x 0.5 cm, 4.950 yen (tax included)

hanami chopsticks with traditional woven carrying bag

16,200 yen (tax included)

Keiichi Murata, Ceramic Artist

In 1974, I went to Kenya in Africa and began making clay animal sculptures using slab building techniques.* It’s been 47 years since then. Back home, I traveled Japan disseminating how to make slab built African Animals as I went. Today, I live by using slab building techniques and breathing life into clay sculptures.
*slab building starts with clay that is made into flat pieces or slabs, and then those pieces are shaped into pieces, like sculptures

Born in Osaka 1971 graduated in Arts and Crafts from Kyoto City University of Arts 1974-76 taught ceramics in Kenya exhibited work at Matsuya in Ginza, Hankyu Umeda, Mitsukoshi Ginza and many other places

gold accented lion dogs

125 x 210 mm on left; 160 x 210 mm on right, 77,000 yen (tax incl.)

gold heart/gold wing

lft, 134x172 mm, 33,000 yen/ right, 110x145 mm, 25,000 yen (tax incl.)

banana piece

340 x 100 mm, 55,000 yen (tax included)

rose piece

335 x 110 mm, 55,000 yen (tax included)