Yasokichi Tokuda IV

About the Artist

Using Exquisite Gradations and Colors

Ceramic artist Yasokichi Tokuda IV is famous for her Kutani ware using beautiful gradations. She learned the colored glaze gradation techniques from her father, Yasokichi Tokuda III, who was designated as Living National Treasure for colored glaze porcelain techniques, and she succeeded the name Yasokichi Tokuda IV in 2010. While using the colors that have been passed down for generations as the base, she has been breaking new ground by mixing red glazes etc. to add her own color to her artwork. She is highly evaluated in Japan and overseas, and her artworks have been added to the collections of the British Museum (UK) and the Indianapolis Museum of Art (USA).

Biography

• 1961
  Born as the eldest daughter of the Living National Treasure 3rd generation TOKUDA Yasokichi in Daimonji, Komatsu City
• 1980
  Studied abroad in the US at Jamestown High School, New York, after graduating from Komatsu High School
• 1983
  Graduated from the Aoyama Gakuin Women’s Junior College
• 1984
  NHK Kanazawa Broadcasting Station (News presenter) (-1986)
• 1986
  Travelled to various countries as her father 3rd generation TOKUDA Yasokichi’s secretary and kimono missionary (-1989)
• 1990
  Graduated from the Ishikawa Prefectural Kutani Ware Technical Training Institute
  Selected for the 46th Contemporary Art Exhibition. Selected for the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition '90 and the touring exhibition in Australia
• 1991
  Produced the mural for JR Kanazawa Station
  Completed Kimpira Studio. Started production of works in the studio
• 1993
  Selected for the 1st International Bonsai Wares Exhibition
  Selected for the Nissin Foods Contemporary Ceramics “Noodle Bowl” Awards
  First solo exhibition titled “101 Puppies Exhibition” (Gallery Izumi, Neagari Towan, Nomi County, Ishikawa Prefecture)
• 1994
  Produced a ceramic mural for the Komatsu City Sukoyaka Centre
• 1995
  Produced a ceramic mural for Rantei, Akihu Onsen, Sendai City
• 1996
  Produced a ceramic mural for Kawachi Woody Hall
  Gave ceramic lessons at the Kuala Lumpur College of Art (KLCA), Malaysia
• 1998
  Produced a ceramic mural for APA Hotel , Kanazawa Station
• 2001
  Produced a ceramic mural for APA Hotel Tokyo Nishi-azabu
• 2008
  Selected for the 49th Ishikawa Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
  Selected for the 55th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2009
  Selected for the 50th Ishikawa Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
  Selected for the 56th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2010
  Succeeded the name of 4th generation TOKUDA Yasokichi (changed her name from Junko to Yasokichi)
  Selected for the 57th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2012
  Selected for the 1st Biennale of the Tea Ceremony Today -Utility and Form- (Musee Tomo)
  Selected for the 59th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
• Solo and group exhibitions at Daiwa Department Store (Korinbo, Fukuyama, Takaoka), Takashimaya (Okayama, Osaka, JR Nagoya), department stores and galleries in Fukui, Osaka, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Fukushima, Shizuoka, Gunma, and Kanagawa

Awards

• 1997
  Received the Japan Festival Award and the Grand Prix for the mosaic collaboration at Gateshead, England
• 2008
  Received the Technical Award at the 31st Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2012
  Received the Excellence Award at the 35th Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition
  Received the FM Ishikawa President Award at the 68th Contemporary Arts Exhibition in Ishikawa
• 2015
  Received the Hokkoku Award at the 71st Contemporary Arts Exhibition in Ishikawa
• 2016
  Received the Federation Chaiman Award at the 39th Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2017
  Received the Honorable Mention Award at the 73rd Contemporary Arts Exhibition in Ishikawa
• 2018
  Received the Nomi City Mayor Award at the 74th Contemporary Arts Exhibition in Ishikawa
• 2020
  Received the Hokkoku Shimbun Award at the 43rd Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2025
  Received the Technical Award at the 48th Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition

Public Collections

• Indianapolis Museum of Art
• Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art