Minoru Yamato

1959 -
  • Ceramics
  • Awarded 8 times at the Japan Kōgei Assoc. Exhibition
  • Price Range $2,000 - 3,500
    Info

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  • Category
    Ceramics
  • Techniques
    Hagi ware, Klin effects
  • Born
    1959 -
  • Based in
    Yamaguchi
  • Membership
    Full member, Japan Kogei Association
    Member of the Japan Kōgei Association Yamaguchi Branch
    Member of the Hagi Ceramic Artists Association
    Member of the Yamaguchi Hagiyaki Artists Association
    Full-time instructor at various pottery schools
    (also holds public lectures, judges at exhibitions and explains displays etc.)
Minoru Yamato

Style

Kido Airaku (Enjoying pottery and clay)
It has been decades since I was a little boy simply enjoying
playing with clay and being charmed with fire. I was born at a pottery, grew up among artisans, and have been engaged single-mindedly in ceramics. I never lose my spirit of inquiry towards "craftsmanship", and I always dedicate all of my energy to the clay and kiln to make the best piece.
I hope many people will be able to feel the warmth of the clay through my work and enjoy them as vessels and as a part of the family.

Biography

  • Sakutaro Yamato (Minoru's great grandfather) who was foreman of the Tokoji Kiln (kiln patronized by the Mori clan) built the Yamato Shoroku Kiln.
    His son Harunobu additionally built a 4 chambered climbing kiln, and Minoru succeeded the "Yamato Harunobu Shoroku Kiln" with a history of more than 160 years as the 4th generation.
  • 1959
    Born as the 4th generation of the "Yamato Harunobu Shoroku Kiln"
  • 1980
    Graduated from the current Kyoto Saga University of Arts, Ceramics Course
    After having a friendly relationship with Kyoto Ceramics Professional School and training under Living National Treasures and master craftsmen of glaze, concentrated on research of glaze
    Later on, went back to hometown and started working on artwork for exhibitions
  • 1982
    Selected consecutively for the Kyushu-Yamaguchi Ceramics Exhibition, West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition and West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
    Artwork "Jar with Streamline Design" purchased by Yamaguchi City for the Mayor's office
  • 1987
    Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (Selected 6 times)
  • 1990
    Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition consecutively
    Recommended as Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
  • 2003
    Requested by Setagaya Art Museum to exhibit a large artwork with carbonized fire marks
  • 2017
    Selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (18 times)
  • 2021
    Solo exhibition at Koganji Temple (Takamatsu, Kagawa) every 2 years (7 times)
  • <Awards Received>
    Yamaguchi Prefecture Encouragement Award for Promotion of Arts and Culture
    Yamaguchi Prefecture Encouragement Award for Merit in Arts and Culture
  • <Solo exhibitions etc.>
    Daimaru Department Store, Kintetsu Department Store, Sogo Department Store, Hanshin Department Store, Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, expositions, selected artwork exhibitions, exhibitions at various art museums etc.

Awards

  • 2007
    Received the Branch Manager Award at the Yamaguchi Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • <Other Awards>
    Traditional Kōgei New Works Exhibition (Yamaguchi Branch Manager Award, Asahi Shimbun Award, NHK Broadcasting Station Award, Yamaguchi Asahi Broadcasting Station (yab) Award, Shimonoseki Mayor Award, Daimaru Department Store Award, Sogo Hiroshima Award, Asahi Culture Center Award, Special Judge Award)
  • 2026
    NHK Yamaguchi Broadcasting Station Award, 49th Yamaguchi Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Official Site / Social Media etc.

View All 16 Artworks byMinoru Yamato