Togaku Mori
Born in Bizen City in 1937. A ceramic artist who pursued the reproduction of ancient Bizen large-kiln firing, achieving long-duration firing with the Kanpu Large Kiln and the new Kanpu Large Kiln.
Togaku Mori was born in 1937 in Imbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Shuji Mori, whose family lineage was rooted in one of the six traditional kiln families of Bizen ware.
After graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959, he worked as an art teacher at a junior high school. In 1962, however, he left teaching, returned to his family home, and began pursuing pottery in earnest.
The following year, in 1963, his work was accepted for the first time at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition. In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association.
In 1969, Mori held a three-person exhibition in Tokyo with Issei Esaki and Shoji Kamoda. A cylindrical earthenware vessel exhibited at the show was acquired by the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. In the same year, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award.
Fascinated by the overwhelming beauty of Ko-Bizen ware, Mori began constructing the 46-meter-long Aioi Great Kiln in Aioi City, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1972. His aim was to recreate the large medieval kilns that had produced Ko-Bizen ware.
He completed the Aioi Great Kiln in 1979 and began firing it the following year. The firing continued for approximately two months.
Building upon the experience and results gained from this firing, Mori moved to Sabukaze in Ushimado, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture. In 1983, he completed the 53-meter-long Sabukaze Great Kiln. He began firing it in December 1985 and opened the kiln for the first time in 1986.
He continued conducting experimental firings in the Sabukaze Great Kiln, pursuing both the beauty of Ko-Bizen ware and the mysteries of firing in an enormous kiln.
In 1996, he received the Sanyo Shimbun Award for Cultural Merit. In the same year, he was designated by Okayama Prefecture as a Holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property “Techniques for the Production of Bizen Ware.”
In 1997, he exhibited his work at the Bizen Ware Exhibition in Paris. In 2002, he received the Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Society Award.
In 2008, Mori completed the Sabukaze New Great Kiln, which measured 85 meters in length, 6 meters in width, and 3 meters in height. He had spent many years preparing for its construction and continued making numerous modifications after its completion. In 2015, he finally accomplished an unprecedented firing of this enormous kiln.
Through a firing that continued for approximately three months, Mori revived the beauty of Ko-Bizen ware in the modern age. He also achieved a diverse range of kiln effects that could only be created in a kiln of such immense scale, accomplishing a remarkable feat that will remain in the history of ceramics.
Major awards and honors include the Japan Ceramic Society Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award for Cultural Merit, the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Award for Distinguished Service to Art and Culture, the Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Society Award, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Commendation, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Fukutake Culture Award, and the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award. He has also served as a judge for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.
After graduating from the Special Art Course at Okayama University in 1959, he worked as an art teacher at a junior high school. In 1962, however, he left teaching, returned to his family home, and began pursuing pottery in earnest.
The following year, in 1963, his work was accepted for the first time at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition. In 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association.
In 1969, Mori held a three-person exhibition in Tokyo with Issei Esaki and Shoji Kamoda. A cylindrical earthenware vessel exhibited at the show was acquired by the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo. In the same year, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award.
Fascinated by the overwhelming beauty of Ko-Bizen ware, Mori began constructing the 46-meter-long Aioi Great Kiln in Aioi City, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1972. His aim was to recreate the large medieval kilns that had produced Ko-Bizen ware.
He completed the Aioi Great Kiln in 1979 and began firing it the following year. The firing continued for approximately two months.
Building upon the experience and results gained from this firing, Mori moved to Sabukaze in Ushimado, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture. In 1983, he completed the 53-meter-long Sabukaze Great Kiln. He began firing it in December 1985 and opened the kiln for the first time in 1986.
He continued conducting experimental firings in the Sabukaze Great Kiln, pursuing both the beauty of Ko-Bizen ware and the mysteries of firing in an enormous kiln.
In 1996, he received the Sanyo Shimbun Award for Cultural Merit. In the same year, he was designated by Okayama Prefecture as a Holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property “Techniques for the Production of Bizen Ware.”
In 1997, he exhibited his work at the Bizen Ware Exhibition in Paris. In 2002, he received the Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Society Award.
In 2008, Mori completed the Sabukaze New Great Kiln, which measured 85 meters in length, 6 meters in width, and 3 meters in height. He had spent many years preparing for its construction and continued making numerous modifications after its completion. In 2015, he finally accomplished an unprecedented firing of this enormous kiln.
Through a firing that continued for approximately three months, Mori revived the beauty of Ko-Bizen ware in the modern age. He also achieved a diverse range of kiln effects that could only be created in a kiln of such immense scale, accomplishing a remarkable feat that will remain in the history of ceramics.
Major awards and honors include the Japan Ceramic Society Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award for Cultural Merit, the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Award for Distinguished Service to Art and Culture, the Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Society Award, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Commendation, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Fukutake Culture Award, and the Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award. He has also served as a judge for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.
Biography
Mr. Takue Mori was born in 1937 in Ibu, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Hideji Mori, who descended from one of the six families of Bizen ware kilns.
After graduating from the Special Art Department of Okayama University in 1959, he worked as a junior high school art teacher, but resigned from his teaching position in 1962, returned to his family home, and embarked on a full-time career in ceramics.
The following year, in 1963, he was selected for the first time in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and in 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Craft Association.
In 1969, he held a three-person exhibition in Tokyo with Mr. Issho Ezaki and Mr. Koji Kamoda. The cylindrical earthenware exhibited at the same exhibition was purchased by the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, and that same year, he received the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award.
Captivated by the overwhelming beauty of ancient Bizen ware, in 1972, to recreate the medieval large kilns that produced ancient Bizen ware, he began constructing the Aioi Large Kiln, measuring 46 meters in length, in Aioi City, Hyogo Prefecture.
He completed the Aioi Large Kiln in 1979, fired it the following year, in 1980, and successfully carried out a firing process lasting approximately two months.
Based on that experience and achievements, he moved to Kankofu, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, and completed the Kankofu Large Kiln, measuring 53 meters in length, in 1983. He fired it in December 1985, and carried out the first unloading in 1986.
After that, he continued to conduct experimental firings in the Kankofu Large Kiln, pursuing the beauty of ancient Bizen ware and the mystery of large kiln firing.
In 1996, he received the Sanyo Shimbun Award (Cultural Contribution), and that same year, he was certified as a holder of the "Production Techniques of Bizen Ware," an Important Intangible Cultural Property designated by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1997, he exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition, and in 2002, he received the Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award.
In 2008, the Kankofu New Large Kiln (85 meters in length, 6 meters in width, and 3 meters in height), which he had been preparing for some time, was completed. After numerous renovations, in 2015, he finally achieved an unprecedented large kiln firing.
Through a firing process lasting approximately three months, he revived the beauty of ancient Bizen ware in the modern era while realizing a variety of kiln-transformed effects that can only be produced in a large kiln, achieving a feat that will remain in the history of ceramic art.
Major Awards and Honors: Japan Ceramic Art Association Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award (Cultural Contribution), Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Culture Contribution Award, Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award, Commendation from the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Purple Ribbon Medal, Fukutake Cultural Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, etc. / Judge of Okayama Prefecture Art Exhibitions
After graduating from the Special Art Department of Okayama University in 1959, he worked as a junior high school art teacher, but resigned from his teaching position in 1962, returned to his family home, and embarked on a full-time career in ceramics.
The following year, in 1963, he was selected for the first time in the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, and in 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Craft Association.
In 1969, he held a three-person exhibition in Tokyo with Mr. Issho Ezaki and Mr. Koji Kamoda. The cylindrical earthenware exhibited at the same exhibition was purchased by the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, and that same year, he received the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award.
Captivated by the overwhelming beauty of ancient Bizen ware, in 1972, to recreate the medieval large kilns that produced ancient Bizen ware, he began constructing the Aioi Large Kiln, measuring 46 meters in length, in Aioi City, Hyogo Prefecture.
He completed the Aioi Large Kiln in 1979, fired it the following year, in 1980, and successfully carried out a firing process lasting approximately two months.
Based on that experience and achievements, he moved to Kankofu, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, and completed the Kankofu Large Kiln, measuring 53 meters in length, in 1983. He fired it in December 1985, and carried out the first unloading in 1986.
After that, he continued to conduct experimental firings in the Kankofu Large Kiln, pursuing the beauty of ancient Bizen ware and the mystery of large kiln firing.
In 1996, he received the Sanyo Shimbun Award (Cultural Contribution), and that same year, he was certified as a holder of the "Production Techniques of Bizen Ware," an Important Intangible Cultural Property designated by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1997, he exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition, and in 2002, he received the Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award.
In 2008, the Kankofu New Large Kiln (85 meters in length, 6 meters in width, and 3 meters in height), which he had been preparing for some time, was completed. After numerous renovations, in 2015, he finally achieved an unprecedented large kiln firing.
Through a firing process lasting approximately three months, he revived the beauty of ancient Bizen ware in the modern era while realizing a variety of kiln-transformed effects that can only be produced in a large kiln, achieving a feat that will remain in the history of ceramic art.
Major Awards and Honors: Japan Ceramic Art Association Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award (Cultural Contribution), Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Culture Contribution Award, Gold Prize of the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award, Commendation from the Commissioner of the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Purple Ribbon Medal, Fukutake Cultural Award, Okayama Prefecture Miki Memorial Award, etc. / Judge of Okayama Prefecture Art Exhibitions