Akira Sakamoto

• 1965
  Born in Kawahara Town, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture
• 1983
  Studied under his father Chikao, 2nd Generation of the Nakai Kiln
• 1995
  Selected for the Japan Folk Crafts Museum New Works Competition and Exhibition, selected several times from this year onward
• 1997
  Selected for the 14th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, selected consecutively from this year onward
• 2004
  Designated as Traditional Craftsman of Tottori Prefecture
• 2012
  Selected for the 59th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, selected several times from this year onward
• 2013
  Selected for the 1st Tobiten, selected several times from this year onward
• 2015
  Designated as Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
• 2017
  Selected for the 7th Kikuchi Biennale, selected consecutively from this year onward
  Selected for the Hagi Taisho (Grand Prix) of Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition IV, selected consecutively from this year onward
• 2019
  Selected for the Hagi Taisho (Grand Prix) of Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition V (tea ceremony ceramics exhibition)
• 2020
  Selected for the Japan Ceramics Society Encouragement Prize Chūgoku and Shikoku Exhibition
• 2021
  Selected for the 1st Kasama Ceramic Award Exhibition
• 2023
  Designated as Holder of Intangible Cultural Property of Tottori Prefecture for "Ceramics"

Studied the production techniques of celadon porcelain on his own. Although his ideal celadon porcelain are those from China's Northern Song Dynasty, he has a strong desire to create a new type of celadon that is different from others and uses original combinations of glaze and various types of clay. With the folk art pottery techniques that he cultivated at the Nakai Kiln at his base, he adds new elements to the traditional celadon porcelain to create soft and sophisticated pieces with unique forms and glazes.

Creating New Style Celadon Porcelain with a Free Mind

Ceramic artist Akira Sakamoto was born as the 3rd generation of the Inshu Nakai Kiln in Tottori, known widely as a kiln producing folk art. When he was in his 30s, he received the Grand Award, the Japan Folk Crafts Museum Award at the Japan Folk Crafts Museum New Works Competition and Exhibition. After reaching the top of folk crafts, Sakamoto decided to challenge the world of traditional crafts in his mid 40s. He is currently producing artwork as a folk craft artisan and a celadon porcelain artist. As a porcelain artist, he uses a technique called "kakewake", where he uses different types of glaze to create unique celadon pieces. After being selected and receiving many awards at exhibitions where the artwork of top class artists in Japan gather, he was designated as Holder of Intangible Cultural Property of Tottori for "ceramics" in 2023. Sakamoto says he is still in the process of developing. He is receiving much attention with his unconventional ideas, and his challenges going through trials and errors.

• 1996
  Received the Incentive Award at the Japan Folk Crafts Museum New Works Competition and Exhibition
• 2001
  Received the Japan Folk Crafts Museum Award at the Japan Folk Crafts Museum New Works Competition and Exhibition
• 2005
  Received the Excellence Award / Mainichi Shimbun Award at the 18th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
• 2006
  Received the Kawakami Incentive Award at the Kawakami Award Ceremony
• 2009
  Received the Tottori Governor Award at the 52nd Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2010
  Received the Tottori Governor Award at the 53rd Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2013
  Received the Mainichi Shimbun Award at the 22nd Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
  Received the NHK Hiroshima Broadcasting Station Manager Award at the 56th Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2014
  Received the 39th Tottori City Cultural Award
• 2015
  Received the Special Award / TOTO Award at the 23rd Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
• 2017
  Received the Tottori Governor Award at the 60th Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2018
  Received the Okayama Mayor Award at the 61st Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2020
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Award at the 63rd Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

• The Japan Folk Crafts Museum, Osaka
• Toyota City Folk Craft Museum
• Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art

• Official Site
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