Yuichi Yamamoto

Style

Producing mainly ceramics for tea ceremony such as tea containers, tea bowls and water jugs. The ceramics are fired in a gas kiln to come out with scarlet fire marks. Completed the technique to make scarlet fire mark patterns. Also producing flower vases etc. using the slab building technique.

Biography

• 1935
  Born in Inbe, Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture as the first son of Toshu Yamamoto, Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure)
• 1959
  Studies under his father and starts his career in ceramics
• 1962
  Selected for the first time for the 9th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (selected 37 times from this year onward)
• 1967
  Traveled abroad for the first time
  Visited the former Soviet Union, former East and West Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, UK and USA. Observed ceramics in each country and deepened friendship with Dora Maar, Chairman of the French Women Artists Association, and made ceramics at her studio
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
  Father and Son Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
• 1968
  Started using a gas kiln for Bizen ware for the first time and started studying "hidasuki (scarlet fire marks)". He discovered that the gas kiln was suitable for making hidasuki
• 1969
  First solo exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Craft Salon
• 1972
  Builds a half underground cellar kiln with his father
• 1975
  Builds a cellar kiln adopting the good points of a climbing kiln and makes ceramics with this for the first time
  Invited to submit to the ”Bizen Issennen (1000 Years of Bizen ware)" Exhibition (sponsored by Mainichi Newspapers Co., Ltd.)
• 1980
  Becomes Chairman of the Bigeikai
• 1981
  Invited to submit to the 6th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition (up to present)
• 1983
  Submitted to the All-Japan Kogei Selection Exhibition
• 1994
  10th Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery
  Took part in the Bali International Cultural Festival
• 1995
  Becomes Chairman of the Gengakai
  Publishes "Techniques of Bizen ware - Tradition and Creation"
• 1996
  Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture
  Received the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Arts and Culture Achievement Award
• 1997
  Submitted to the The Traditional Beauty of 1000 years - Japanese Bizen Ware” Exhibition at the National Ceramics Museum, Sèvres, France
• 1998
  Appeared in NHK TV program "Yakimono Tanbo '98"
  Received the Meadl with Dark Blue Ribbon
• 1999
  "Bizen Hidasuki Octogonal Bowl" purchased by the National Ceramics Museum, Sèvres, France
  ”Hidasuki Wide Mouth Flower Vase" and "Hidasuki Round Flower Vase" purchased by the Imperial Household Agency
  First Overseas Solo Exhibition at the Cast Iron House New York (USA)
  Solo Exhibition at "Gallery Okuda", Washington D.C. (USA)
• 2002
  Becomes Assistant Branch Chief of the Omotesenke Domonkai Okayama Branch
• 2004
  15th Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery
  Dedicated Hidasuki Round Flower Vase to Ise Jingu
• 2005
  Dedicates tea bowl to Ise Jingu Naiku
  Dedicates high-fired unglazed bowl to Ise Jingu Geku
  "70th Birthday Anniversary Bizen Yuichi Yamamoto Exhibition" at Kintetsu Department Store, Abeno Store
• 2006
  Judge at the Japan Kogei Association Ceramics Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  16th Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery
• 2008
  Awarded for Distinguished Service by Bizen CIty
  17th Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery
• 2010
  18th Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery
  Received the Regional Cultural Merit Award from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
• 2012
  19th Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery
• 2015
  20th Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery
• 2016
  Yuichi Yamamoto 80th Birthday Anniversary Exhibition at Abeno Harukas Kintetsu Main Store
• 2019
  21st Solo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery

Awards

• 1977
  Received the Kaneshige Toyo Award
• 1980
  Received the 1st Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award
• 1981
  Received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award
  Received the Minister of Education Incentive Award at the 3rd Gengakai
• 1983
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition
• 1992
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun Award and Cultural Merit Award
• 1993
  Received the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Award at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition ('95, 96, 97, 98)
• 1996
  Received the Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Award at the 13th “Arts of the Tea Ceremony” Exhibition