Koken Hibata
A ceramic artist and local historian born in the home of the chief priest of Tenjin Shrine in Ine, Bizen City. He is known for his work on decorative pieces such as ho-ni bottles and his research on "Kin-Bizen" firing techniques, and he also devoted himself to preserving the culture of Bizen ware.
Koken Hibata was born into a family of Shinto priests serving Amatsu Shrine in the heart of Imbe, Bizen City. He was known not only as a Bizen ware artist but also as a local historian who devoted himself to the study of Bizen ware.
He authored and compiled a number of important works, including *Bizen-yaki Shi* (A History of Bizen Ware), *Inbe-cho Shi* (A History of Inbe Town), and *Bizen-yaki no Kansho* (Appreciating Bizen Ware), making a significant contribution to the documentation and preservation of the history and culture of Bizen ware.
While pursuing local historical research and cultural activities, Hibata began hand-building hohin teapots around 1960. He visited accomplished Bizen potters to refine his ceramic techniques and inherited his family’s ancestral Amatsu Kiln, eventually devoting himself fully to pottery.
While firmly grounded in the traditions of Bizen ware, he produced many outstanding decorative and sculptural works, particularly hohin teapots. In his later years, he also devoted considerable effort to researching “Kin-Bizen,” a distinctive style characterized by brilliant golden kiln effects created through strong reduction firing.
In 1964, his work was accepted at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition. In 1966, his work was accepted at both the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Kogei East Chugoku Branch Exhibition.
In 1968, in recognition of his achievements as director of the Bizen City Community Center, he received a commendation from the Minister of Education. He was subsequently received at the Imperial Palace and granted an audience with the Emperor.
In 1970, he retired from his position as director of the community center and devoted himself fully to pottery. In the same year, he received the Okayama Prefecture Award for Distinguished Service to Education and Culture.
He continued to have works accepted at major exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and in 1975 became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association.
In 1976, he served as an executive member of the East Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association and received the Prefectural Exhibition Award at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.
In 1977, he held a solo exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi in Tokyo, as well as solo exhibitions around the same period at venues including Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
In 1978, he served as a judge for the Japan Traditional Kogei East Chugoku Branch Exhibition.
Hibata continued his intensive research into Kin-Bizen, and in 1980 he presented a “Kin-Bizen Tea Bowl” to Ise Jingu.
In 1985, he received the Encouragement Award from the East Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association, followed by the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award in 1988.
In 1989, he served as chairman of the Bigeikai and received the Okayama Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skilled Workers. In 1991, he received a Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, and in 1992, he served as chairman of the Bizen City Cultural Properties Protection Committee.
In 1995, he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman under the recognition of the Minister of International Trade and Industry. Throughout his life, he contributed to the development of Bizen ware culture in many fields, including pottery, historical research, cultural property preservation, and the training of younger generations.
Koken Hibata passed away in 2002.
Major awards and honors include a Commendation from the Minister of Education, the Okayama Prefecture Award for Distinguished Service to Education and Culture, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Award, the Japan Kōgei Association East Chugoku Branch Encouragement Award, the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award, the Okayama Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skilled Workers, a Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, and certification as a Traditional Craftsman.
He authored and compiled a number of important works, including *Bizen-yaki Shi* (A History of Bizen Ware), *Inbe-cho Shi* (A History of Inbe Town), and *Bizen-yaki no Kansho* (Appreciating Bizen Ware), making a significant contribution to the documentation and preservation of the history and culture of Bizen ware.
While pursuing local historical research and cultural activities, Hibata began hand-building hohin teapots around 1960. He visited accomplished Bizen potters to refine his ceramic techniques and inherited his family’s ancestral Amatsu Kiln, eventually devoting himself fully to pottery.
While firmly grounded in the traditions of Bizen ware, he produced many outstanding decorative and sculptural works, particularly hohin teapots. In his later years, he also devoted considerable effort to researching “Kin-Bizen,” a distinctive style characterized by brilliant golden kiln effects created through strong reduction firing.
In 1964, his work was accepted at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition. In 1966, his work was accepted at both the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Kogei East Chugoku Branch Exhibition.
In 1968, in recognition of his achievements as director of the Bizen City Community Center, he received a commendation from the Minister of Education. He was subsequently received at the Imperial Palace and granted an audience with the Emperor.
In 1970, he retired from his position as director of the community center and devoted himself fully to pottery. In the same year, he received the Okayama Prefecture Award for Distinguished Service to Education and Culture.
He continued to have works accepted at major exhibitions, including the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and in 1975 became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association.
In 1976, he served as an executive member of the East Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association and received the Prefectural Exhibition Award at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.
In 1977, he held a solo exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi in Tokyo, as well as solo exhibitions around the same period at venues including Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
In 1978, he served as a judge for the Japan Traditional Kogei East Chugoku Branch Exhibition.
Hibata continued his intensive research into Kin-Bizen, and in 1980 he presented a “Kin-Bizen Tea Bowl” to Ise Jingu.
In 1985, he received the Encouragement Award from the East Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association, followed by the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award in 1988.
In 1989, he served as chairman of the Bigeikai and received the Okayama Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skilled Workers. In 1991, he received a Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, and in 1992, he served as chairman of the Bizen City Cultural Properties Protection Committee.
In 1995, he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman under the recognition of the Minister of International Trade and Industry. Throughout his life, he contributed to the development of Bizen ware culture in many fields, including pottery, historical research, cultural property preservation, and the training of younger generations.
Koken Hibata passed away in 2002.
Major awards and honors include a Commendation from the Minister of Education, the Okayama Prefecture Award for Distinguished Service to Education and Culture, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Award, the Japan Kōgei Association East Chugoku Branch Encouragement Award, the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award, the Okayama Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skilled Workers, a Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, and certification as a Traditional Craftsman.
Biography
Mr. Mitsunori Hinata was born into a family of chief priests of the Amatsuchi Shrine, located in the heart of Ine, Bizen City. He is known not only as a Bizen ware artist but also as a local historian who dedicated himself to the study of Bizen ware.
He left behind works such as “The Bizen Ware Journal,” “The Ine Town History,” and “Appreciating Bizen Ware,” and made significant contributions to recording and preserving the history and culture of Bizen ware.
While engaged in local history research and cultural activities, he began handcrafting hohei bottles around 1960. He honed his pottery techniques by visiting master craftsmen in Bizen and embarked on a full-time career in pottery, inheriting his ancestral “Amatsuchi Kiln.”
Based on traditional Bizen ware, he left behind excellent works, including fine decorative pieces such as hohei bottles, and later devoted himself to the study of “Kin Bizen,” which produces a unique golden kiln-transformed color through intense reduction firing.
In 1964, his work was selected for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and in 1966, it was selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Crafts East China Branch Exhibition.
In 1968, he received the Minister of Education’s Commendation for his achievements as the director of the Bizen City Public Hall and was invited to the Imperial Palace to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.
He retired as director of the Public Hall in 1970 to devote himself to pottery, and that same year, he received the Okayama Prefectural Commendation for Educational and Cultural Contributions.
He continued to have his work selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and became a full member of the Japan Craft Association in 1975.
In 1976, he served as an executive of the East China Branch of the Japan Craft Association and won the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prefectural Award.
In 1977, he held solo exhibitions at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi in Tokyo, followed by exhibitions at Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro and other locations in Tokyo.
In 1978, he served as a judge for the Japan Traditional Crafts East China Branch Exhibition.
He also devoted himself to the study of Kin Bizen and dedicated a “Kin Bizen Tea Bowl” to the Ise Grand Shrine in 1980.
He received the East China Branch Encouragement Award from the Japan Craft Association in 1985 and the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award in 1988.
In 1989, he served as president of the Bizen Craft Association and received the Prefectural Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skill. In 1991, he received a Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, and in 1992, he served as chairman of the Bizen City Cultural Property Protection Committee.
In 1995, he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman by the Minister of International Trade and Industry, and he devoted himself to the development of Bizen ware culture in many areas, including pottery, research on Bizen ware, cultural property preservation, and the training of future generations.
He passed away in 2002.
Major Awards and Honors: Minister of Education’s Commendation, Okayama Prefectural Commendation for Educational and Cultural Contributions, Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prefectural Award, East China Branch Encouragement Award from the Japan Craft Association, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award, Prefectural Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skill, Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, Certification as a Traditional Craftsman, etc.
He left behind works such as “The Bizen Ware Journal,” “The Ine Town History,” and “Appreciating Bizen Ware,” and made significant contributions to recording and preserving the history and culture of Bizen ware.
While engaged in local history research and cultural activities, he began handcrafting hohei bottles around 1960. He honed his pottery techniques by visiting master craftsmen in Bizen and embarked on a full-time career in pottery, inheriting his ancestral “Amatsuchi Kiln.”
Based on traditional Bizen ware, he left behind excellent works, including fine decorative pieces such as hohei bottles, and later devoted himself to the study of “Kin Bizen,” which produces a unique golden kiln-transformed color through intense reduction firing.
In 1964, his work was selected for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and in 1966, it was selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Crafts East China Branch Exhibition.
In 1968, he received the Minister of Education’s Commendation for his achievements as the director of the Bizen City Public Hall and was invited to the Imperial Palace to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.
He retired as director of the Public Hall in 1970 to devote himself to pottery, and that same year, he received the Okayama Prefectural Commendation for Educational and Cultural Contributions.
He continued to have his work selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, and became a full member of the Japan Craft Association in 1975.
In 1976, he served as an executive of the East China Branch of the Japan Craft Association and won the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prefectural Award.
In 1977, he held solo exhibitions at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi in Tokyo, followed by exhibitions at Seibu Department Store in Ikebukuro and other locations in Tokyo.
In 1978, he served as a judge for the Japan Traditional Crafts East China Branch Exhibition.
He also devoted himself to the study of Kin Bizen and dedicated a “Kin Bizen Tea Bowl” to the Ise Grand Shrine in 1980.
He received the East China Branch Encouragement Award from the Japan Craft Association in 1985 and the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award in 1988.
In 1989, he served as president of the Bizen Craft Association and received the Prefectural Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skill. In 1991, he received a Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, and in 1992, he served as chairman of the Bizen City Cultural Property Protection Committee.
In 1995, he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman by the Minister of International Trade and Industry, and he devoted himself to the development of Bizen ware culture in many areas, including pottery, research on Bizen ware, cultural property preservation, and the training of future generations.
He passed away in 2002.
Major Awards and Honors: Minister of Education’s Commendation, Okayama Prefectural Commendation for Educational and Cultural Contributions, Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prefectural Award, East China Branch Encouragement Award from the Japan Craft Association, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award, Prefectural Governor’s Commendation for Outstanding Skill, Certificate of Merit from Bizen City, Certification as a Traditional Craftsman, etc.