Living National Treasure Zenzo Fukushima

  • Ceramics
  • 1959 -
Zenzo Fukushima

I make my pottery using porcelain clay from Koishiwara (also known as Nakano), iron ore, wood ashes, straw ashes, and feldspar. I do the whole process on my own from preparing the clay to baking.

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Director / Advisor of Japan Kogei Association
Secretary General of Japan Kogei Association West Japan Branch
Status Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property for Koishiwara-ware )
  • 1959 Born in Fukuoka to the family of the Koishikawa ware Chigaiwa Kiln
  • 1988 Selected for the 35th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2000 "Iron glazed bowl" purchased by the Imperial Household Agency (purchased three times from this year onward)
  • 2003 "Contemporary Master Ceramists of Western Japan“ at Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum
  • 2006 "The Quintessence of Modern Japanese Ceramics" at Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum
  • 2007 "Invitation to Modern Ceramic Art" at The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo
  • 2008 "Craftworks of Today in Kyushu and Okinawa, Tradition and Creation" at Kyushu National Museum
  • 2010 "About the Tea Ceremony~A Viewpoint on Contemporary Kōgei (Studio Crafts)" at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  • 2013 "From Crafts to Kōgei In Commemoration of the 60th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition" at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  • 2014 Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon
    Celadon Now: Techniques and Beauty Handed Down from Southern Sung to Today at The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  • 2015 Evaluator at the 62nd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (4 more times after this)
  • 2017 Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for Koishiwara ware
  • 2019 Judge and Auditor at the 66th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2020 Becomes Secretary General of Japan Kogei Association West Japan Branch
    Becomes Director of Japan Kogei Association

  • 1991Received th Asahi Shimbun Gold Award at the 26th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1992Received the Grand Prize at the 15th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
  • 2001Received the 8th Fukuoka Prefecture Cultural Award
  • 2003Received the Grand Prize at the 23rd West Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
    Received the Japan Kogei Association President Award at the 50th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2004Received the Excellence Award at the 14th MOA Mokichi Okada Award Exhibition
  • 2013Received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the 60th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2014Received the Japan Ceramic Society Award for the year 2013 (from the Japan Ceramic Society)
  • 2019Received the Fukuoka City Cultural Award
13 artworks posted