Yataro Amemiya

Style

An ink slab is not just an artifact to rub down an ink stick and make some sumi or black ink; it is for calming the mind while making sumi, a place to confront the self.
For me the ink slab is "a receptacle of the spirit" and in its functional simplicity I found the possibility of an artistic expression suitable for today's society.
I am pursuing the creation of contemporary sculpture in this simple "form or shape" in which natural materials are allowed to express themselves.

Biography

• 1961
  Born in Yamanashi Prefecture
• 1985
  Graduated from Department of Sculpture, Tokyo University of the Arts
• 1989
  Completed Graduate School of Fine Arts (Sculpture, Art and Education), Tokyo University of the Arts
• 1990
  First time submitted and selected for 37th Japan Traditional Art Crafts (submitted every year to date)
• 1994
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
• 2005
  Solo exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store
• 2008
  Solo exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store
• 2010
  Traditional Crafts in the 21st Century -Eyes of the World- Exhibition, MOA Museum of Art
• 2011
  Solo exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi main store
• 2013
  Exhibition [Contemporary KOGEI Styles in Japan]

Awards

• 1996
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Prize at 12th Traditional Kōgei 7th Division Exhibition
• 1997
  Received the Tokyo Board of Education Award at 13th Traditional Kōgei 7th Division Exhibition
• 2004
  Received the Eastern Branch Prize at 44th Traditional Kōgei New Works Exhibition
• 2006
  Received the Best New Artist Award at 53rd Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2007
  Received the Incentive Award at 27th POLA Traditional Culture Awards
• 2009
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Prize at 49th East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Kogei Association Award at 22nd East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2012
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Award at 52nd East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition