Toshu Yamamoto
1906–1994. A Bizen ware artist hailed as a “master of the potter’s wheel” for his exceptional wheel-throwing techniques. In 1987, he was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Property).
Toshu Yamamoto (1906–1994) was born in Imbe, Bizen City. After graduating from Imbe Jinjo Higher Elementary School, he entered the world of pottery in 1921 and trained at the Koubido and Tokeido kilns.
In 1933, he built his own kiln and began working independently. In 1938, he studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube and further refined his ceramic techniques.
After World War II, he formed close friendships with Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi and was influenced by their artistic ideas.
Yamamoto possessed such outstanding wheel-throwing skills that he became known as a “master of the potter’s wheel.” He created numerous works distinguished by their refined forms and elegant dignity.
Beginning in 1976, he presented a series of exhibitions entitled the “Tea Ware Series” in Tokyo and Osaka over a period of five years, establishing his reputation as an artist of tea ceramics. He was particularly fond of making chaire tea caddies and produced many examples throughout his career.
He also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics from overseas.
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1959, his large Hidasuki bowl, exhibited at the Brussels World Exposition, received the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
In 1970, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association. In 1987, he became the third Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1992, he held the exhibition *Journey through the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto*.
Toshu Yamamoto passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors include the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Mainichi Art Award, the Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.
In 1933, he built his own kiln and began working independently. In 1938, he studied under the Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube and further refined his ceramic techniques.
After World War II, he formed close friendships with Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi and was influenced by their artistic ideas.
Yamamoto possessed such outstanding wheel-throwing skills that he became known as a “master of the potter’s wheel.” He created numerous works distinguished by their refined forms and elegant dignity.
Beginning in 1976, he presented a series of exhibitions entitled the “Tea Ware Series” in Tokyo and Osaka over a period of five years, establishing his reputation as an artist of tea ceramics. He was particularly fond of making chaire tea caddies and produced many examples throughout his career.
He also traveled to Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics from overseas.
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1959, his large Hidasuki bowl, exhibited at the Brussels World Exposition, received the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
In 1970, he was appointed a director of the Japan Kōgei Association. In 1987, he became the third Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1992, he held the exhibition *Journey through the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto*.
Toshu Yamamoto passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors include the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Miki Memorial Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Mainichi Art Award, the Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.
Biography
Mr. Tokei Yamamoto (1906–1994; born in Inbe, Bizen City) graduated from Inbe Ordinary Higher Elementary School and entered the world of ceramics in 1921, apprenticing at the pottery studios of Kido and Tokeido.
He established his own kiln and became independent in 1933, and in 1938, he refined his ceramic techniques as a student of the Kyoto potter Yasuo Kusube.
After the war, he deepened his friendships with and was influenced by figures such as Rusan Kitahoro and Isamu Noguchi.
Mr. Yamamoto possessed exceptional wheel-throwing skills, earning him the title of “master of the potter’s wheel,” and produced many refined and elegant works.
From 1976, he held the “Ceramic Tea Ware Series” exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka for five years, establishing his position as a ceramic tea ware artist. He particularly enjoyed making tea jars and produced many of them.
He also visited Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics abroad.
In 1954, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, and in 1959, a large red-corded bowl he exhibited at the Brussels World Expo won the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
He became a director of the Japan Craft Association in 1970, and in 1987, he was designated the third person to hold a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property in Bizen ware.
In 1992, he held the “Journey to the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Tokei Yamamoto Exhibition.”
He passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors: Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Award for Merit, Purple Ribbon Medal, Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure, Honorary Citizen of Bizen City, and others
He established his own kiln and became independent in 1933, and in 1938, he refined his ceramic techniques as a student of the Kyoto potter Yasuo Kusube.
After the war, he deepened his friendships with and was influenced by figures such as Rusan Kitahoro and Isamu Noguchi.
Mr. Yamamoto possessed exceptional wheel-throwing skills, earning him the title of “master of the potter’s wheel,” and produced many refined and elegant works.
From 1976, he held the “Ceramic Tea Ware Series” exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka for five years, establishing his position as a ceramic tea ware artist. He particularly enjoyed making tea jars and produced many of them.
He also visited Europe, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United States to study ceramics abroad.
In 1954, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, and in 1959, a large red-corded bowl he exhibited at the Brussels World Expo won the Grand Prix Gold Medal.
He became a director of the Japan Craft Association in 1970, and in 1987, he was designated the third person to hold a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property in Bizen ware.
In 1992, he held the “Journey to the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Tokei Yamamoto Exhibition.”
He passed away in 1994.
Major awards and honors: Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Award for Merit, Purple Ribbon Medal, Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure, Honorary Citizen of Bizen City, and others