Izuru Yamamoto

• Category
  Ceramics
• Techniques
  Bizen ware
• Born
  1944 -
• Membership
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
  Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama

Style

Using original techniques.

Biography

• 1944
  Born in Bizen
• 1967
  Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture
• 1968
  Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Specialized Sculpture
• 1969
  Studied at Ecole des Beaux-Arts Paris, Department of Sculpture for two years
• 1970
  Studied under his father Toshu Yamamoto after returning to Japan and started his career in pottery
• 1975
  Built a kiln in Imbe, Okayama and becomes independent
  Starts working on original technique "tatakikomi"
• 1979
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
• 1982
  Becomes appointed artist of the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
  Starts working on original technique "Bizen clay shussai"
• 1983
  Invited to submit "Bizen Tatakikomi Black Rose Patterned Large Bowl" and "Bizen Tatakikomi Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" to the Japanese Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum (Washington D.C., USA) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK)
  Invited to submit the Japan Kōgei Association Award winning artwork "Bizen Tatakikomi Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" to the Japan Kōgei Association 30th Anniversary Exhibition
• 1987
  "Bizen Flower Vase with Kiln Effects" added to the collection of the Brooklyn Museum (New York, USA)
  "Bizen Clay Shussai Large Bowl" purchased by the Japan Foundation
• 1989
  Starts working on original technique "tsumiage"
• 1990
  Invited to submit to "Contemporary Ceramics and Primitive Earthenware - The Discovery of Clay" Exhibition at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park Museum
• 1992
  Becomes Judge for the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch
• 1993
  Invited to the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
  "Bizen Clay Tsumiage Flower Vase" selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Starts working on ceramics using Bizen clay and Burgundy clay from France
• 1995
  Worked on pottery at a castle Chateau-de-Ratilly in Yonne, Burgundy, France
  "Bizen Ware Goes to Burgundy" broadcasted on NHK Satellite Broadcasting program (NHK Okayama Broadcasting Station accompanies and produces the program)
• 1996
  Held an exhibition at Chateau-de-Ratilly in Yonne, Burgundy, France
  Exhibition at Tenmaya Okayama Store
• 1997
  Invited to submit "Tsumiage Flower Vase" to "Bizen Ware - The Traditional Beauty of 1000 Years" Exhibition held at The National Museum of Ceramics (Musee national de Ceramique, Sèvres, Paris, France) sponsored by Sanyo Shimbun
• 1998
  Invited to submit "Tsumiage Flower Vase" to the Homecoming Exhibition of the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition sponsored by Sanyo Shimbun held in Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Okayama
• 2000
  "Tsumiage Flower Vase" purchased by Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art
  Invited to submit to a ceramics exhibition in Bandol, Provence, France
  Also inivited as lecturer at the exchange meeting of ceramic artists of the exhibition and forum
  Dedicated Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace" to the Ise Jingu
• 2003
  Selected for the 17th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
• 2006
  Invited to submit to the Asian Contemporary Art Fair held in New York, USA
  Invited to submit to SOFA Chicago (USA)
• 2007
  ”Colored Clay Large Bowl" selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2008
  Submitted to the 2nd Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony at Musee Tomo
  Donated artwork to the Okayama Prefectural Library
  Exhibition catalogue of solo exhibition at Chateau-de-Ratilly in Yonne, Burgundy, France in 1996 "IZURU YAMAMOTO Potier de Bizen" published
• 2009
  "Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" (awarded at the 27th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition) added to the collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
• 2012
  Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture
• 2017
  Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace" added to the collection of Portland Art Museum
  Tsumiage Water Pitcher" added to the collection of Minneapolis Institute of Art
  Tsumiage Water Pitcher" added to the collection of Crocker Art Museum
• 2018
  Interviewed for tsumiage artworks for "Japan - France 160 Years of Friendship Anniversary Program" made by a French Television Station
• 2020
  "Tsumiage Flower Vase" awarded at the 40th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition added to the collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

Awards

• 1980
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Incentive Award for "Bizen tatakikomi Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" at the 27th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1983
  Received the Incentive Award for "Bizen Clay Shussai Large Bowl" at the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts
• 1985
  Received the Toyo Kaneshige Award for "Bizen Clay Shussai Large Bowl" at the Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1986
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman Award at the Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1992
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun Grand Award for "Bizen Clay Tsumiage Shussai Camellia Patterned Flower Vase" at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
• 1997
  Received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award
• 2002
  Received the Tanabe Museum Grand Award for the Bizen / Burgundy Clay Tsumiage Flower Vase ”Merging Sky"at the 19th “Arts of the Tea Ceremony” Exhibition
• 2006
  Received the 64th Sanyo Shimbun Award (Cultural Merits Award) from Sanyo Shimbun
• 2007
  Received the Grand Award at the 2nd Kikuchi Biennale

Public Collections

• 2002 The Tanabe Museum of Art (Tsumiage Flower Vase ”Merging Sky")
• 2007 Musee Tomo (Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace")
• 2009 The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo ("Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl")
• 2017 Portland Art Museum (Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace"), Minneapolis Institute of Art (Tsumiage Water Pitcher), Crocker Art Museum (Tsumiage Water Pitcher)
• 2019 The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (Tsumiage Flower Vase ”Merging Sky")

Official Site / Social Media etc.

• Official Site