Tamotsu Hannya

• 1941
  Born in Takaoka City. Sokan and Kankei are his brothers.
• 1959
  Started to work on sougata (loam mold casting) under his father Yokichi
  Learns the sougata casting techniques from his father Yokichi, and elder brothers Soukan and Kankei
• 1964
  Learns the sougata, heraoshi (creating patterns by pressing the mold with a spatula), hikigata and henkei (form changing) techniques from metalworker Giichi Nakamura
• 1975
  Selected for the 5th Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time (selected several times from this year onward)
• 1979
  Lecturer at Toyama Skill Development Center (current Polytechnic Center) (–1985)
• 1995
  "Flower Vessel Cast in Two Different Metals" presented to the Imperial Household Agency
• 1997
  Received the Takaoka Citizen Cultural Award
• 2004
  Designated as Traditional Craftsman for sougata casting by the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries
  Designated as holder of traditional craft industry (sougata casting) of Takaoka city
• 2014
  Participated in "The Best of Toyama Kogei Art and Design" PR Exhibition in New York
• 2015
  Awarded as Takaoka City Citizen of Merit
• 2016
  Dedicated "Large Bud Vase" to Yakushiji Temple, Nara
  Received The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays
• 2018
  Director of the Japan Kōgei Association (– 2022)
  Manager of the Japan Kōgei Association Toyama Branch (– 2022)

I received the MEXT Award at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition in 1977 and have been producing pieces using the fukiwake casting method ever since this first award. I received the Japan Kogei Association President Award in 1993. To create a vivid contrast of the black and gold colors, I invented a way of pouring in melted copper and brass alternately from three different pouring gates. In order to establish this method, it took me years of testing the angle of the molds.
Recently, I am making pieces using the fukiwake casting method and insert molding method where the parts of the vessel are casted separately and inserted and attached by pouring in melted metal. By combining these two methods, I can create unique, elaborate designs.

Creating mysterious patterns with traditional techniques

Tamotsu Hannya has received awards such as the Japan Kogei Association President Award and the MEXT Award which are the best awards at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition where the top level art work in Japan is gathered. He uses his original technique called "fukiwake" where he pours in different kinds of metals alternately to create a modern and unique pattern. The innovative and novel designs created by the contrast of black and gold colors are what make Hannya's artwork original and special. His modern designed artwork has been dedicated to Yakushiji in Nara, and are also housed at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.

• 1977
  Received the MEXT Award at the 24th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (Collection of The National Museum of Modern Art）(Selected several times from this year onward)
• 1983
  Received the Grand Prize and Minister of International Trade and Industry Award at the 3rd Youth Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1992
  Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the 22nd Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1993
  Received the Japan Kogei Association President Award at the 40th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1994
  Received the 3rd Katori Masahiko Award
• 2001
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman's Award at the 31st Metalworks Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2009
  Received the Grand Prize at the 5th Sano Renaissance Metal-Casting Exhibition

• National Crafts Museum "Fukiwake Plate" (produced in 1977)
• Takaoka Art Museum ”Fukiwake Flower Vase" (produced in 1993)
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art "Round Fukiwake Flower Vase" (produced in 2016)

• Official Site