Yu Fujiwara
1932–2001. Eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. Known for his bold style and hailed as a “master of pottery,” he became a Living National Treasure in 1996, the second generation of his family to receive the honor.
Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001) was born in Honami, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, as the eldest son of Kei Fujiwara, the second Bizen ware artist to be designated a Living National Treasure.
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing company Misuzu Shobo. At the recommendation of the ceramics scholar Fumio Koyama, however, he returned to Bizen and trained in ceramic techniques under his father, Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, Fujiwara pursued the principles of “simplicity, clarity, and boldness.” He produced numerous large jars and bowls and became known as the “Yu of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in the creation of tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including the *One Hundred Jars Exhibition*, the *Tokkuri Tokkuri Exhibition*, the *One Hundred Flower Vessels Exhibition*, and the *One Hundred Bowls Exhibition*.
He also created many large-scale reliefs and sculptural objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1996, he was designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, becoming, together with his father, the first father and son in the field of ceramics to both be recognized as Living National Treasures.
Yu Fujiwara passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize, the Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing company Misuzu Shobo. At the recommendation of the ceramics scholar Fumio Koyama, however, he returned to Bizen and trained in ceramic techniques under his father, Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, Fujiwara pursued the principles of “simplicity, clarity, and boldness.” He produced numerous large jars and bowls and became known as the “Yu of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in the creation of tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including the *One Hundred Jars Exhibition*, the *Tokkuri Tokkuri Exhibition*, the *One Hundred Flower Vessels Exhibition*, and the *One Hundred Bowls Exhibition*.
He also created many large-scale reliefs and sculptural objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.
In 1996, he was designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, becoming, together with his father, the first father and son in the field of ceramics to both be recognized as Living National Treasures.
Yu Fujiwara passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Chugoku Culture Award, the Minister of Education’s Art Encouragement Prize, the Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.
Biography
Mr. Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001; born in Horou, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was born the eldest son of Mr. Kei Fujiwara, the second Living National Treasure of Bizen ware.
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing house Misuzu Shobo, but returned to his hometown at the recommendation of ceramics researcher Mr. Fujio Koyama and trained in pottery under his father, Mr. Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, he strove for simplicity, clarity, and boldness, creating numerous large jars and bowls, earning him the nickname “The Master of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Mr. Rusanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in creating tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including “One Hundred Jars,” “Tokkuri and Kuris,” “One Hundred Flowers,” and “One Hundred Bowls.”
He also created numerous large-scale reliefs and objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
He received the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award in 1967 and was designated a Holder of Okayama Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1980.
In 1996, he was designated a Holder of Japan’s Important Intangible Cultural Properties, becoming the first father-and-son duo in the ceramics world to both be named Living National Treasures.
He passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors: Kanashige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education Award for Encouragement of the Arts, Academia Art and Culture Award, Order of the Blue Ribbon, and others
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at Meiji University in 1955, he worked for the publishing house Misuzu Shobo, but returned to his hometown at the recommendation of ceramics researcher Mr. Fujio Koyama and trained in pottery under his father, Mr. Kei Fujiwara.
In his pottery, he strove for simplicity, clarity, and boldness, creating numerous large jars and bowls, earning him the nickname “The Master of Jars.”
He was also influenced by Mr. Rusanjin Kitaoji and demonstrated exceptional skill in creating tableware.
From 1972, he held a series of solo exhibitions, including “One Hundred Jars,” “Tokkuri and Kuris,” “One Hundred Flowers,” and “One Hundred Bowls.”
He also created numerous large-scale reliefs and objects, expanding the expressive possibilities of Bizen ware.
He received the Japan Ceramic Art Association Award in 1967 and was designated a Holder of Okayama Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1980.
In 1996, he was designated a Holder of Japan’s Important Intangible Cultural Properties, becoming the first father-and-son duo in the ceramics world to both be named Living National Treasures.
He passed away in 2001.
Major awards and honors: Kanashige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education Award for Encouragement of the Arts, Academia Art and Culture Award, Order of the Blue Ribbon, and others