Minori Yoshita

About the Artist

Expressing Tradition and Innovation with Gold Leaf

Minori Yoshita is the 3rd generation of the Kinzangama Kiln, a pottery producing Kutani ware since the Meiji era. He was designated as Living National Treasure for underglaze gold decoration in 2001. For his underglaze gold decorations, Yoshita places gold leaf cut into patterns of flowers and birds onto the base and bakes the vessel. As he uses gold leaf of different thicknesses, the patterns look three-dimensional. While maintaining the traditional techniques, he has been using modern technology since his early days such as the electric kiln. He is striving for innovation to pass on to the next generation, and even in his 90s today, he continues to produce artwork energetically.

Biography

• 1951
  Inherited Kinzangama Kiln
• 1970
  Selected by Ishikawa Prefecture and submitted his work (vase) to the Japan Expo
• 1974
  Selected for Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• 1979
  His work (bowl) was selected for purchase by the Foreign Ministry
  Submitted to International Competition of Faenza ’79, Italy
• 1986
  Solo exhibition, Nomura Art Museum, Nanzenji Temple, Kyoto
• 1987
  Solo exhibition, Nihonbashi Takashimaya Department Store
• 1991
  Solo exhibition, Wako Hall, Ginza
• 1992
  Designated as a holder of intangible cultural property (Kutani ware technique by the Preservation Society) designated by Ishikawa Prefecture
• 1993
  Solo exhibition, Wako Hall, Ginza
  His work (bowl) selected for a permanent collection by Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.
• 1994
  Solo exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Department Store
• 1995
  Judge, 42nd Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• 1997
  Solo exhibition, Wako Hall, Ginza
• 1998
  Solo exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store
• 2000
  Judge, 47th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• 2001
  Designated as a holder of important intangible cultural property
  Solo exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store
  Designated as a holder of national important intangible cultural property (Yuuri kinsai (gold dyeing))

Awards

• 1963
  Received the Governor of Ishikawa Prize at the 2nd Kutani Ware New Works Exhibition
• 1967
  Received the Prefectural Assembly Chairman’s Award at the Kutani Ware New Works Exhibition
• 1972
  Received the Kanazawa City Mayor’s Award at the Ishikawa Design Exhibition
• 1976
  Received an award at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition
• 1978
  Received the Issuikai Award at the Issuikai Ceramics Exhibition
• 1980
  Received the Excellence Award at the 3rd Traditional Kutani Ware Crafts Exhibition
  Received an award at the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition
• 1982
  Received the Excellence Award at the 5th Traditional Kutani Ware Crafts Exhibition
  Received the Member's Grand Prize at the Issuikai Ceramics Exhibition
• 1984
  Received an award at the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts
  Received the Incentive Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1985
  Received an award at the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts
• 1989
  Received the Excellence Award at the 12th Traditional Kutani Ware Crafts Exhibition
• 1990
  Received the Excellence Award at the 13th Traditional Kutani Ware Crafts Exhibition
• 1992
  Received the Excellence Award at the 15th Traditional Kutani Ware Crafts Exhibition
  Received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Prize at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1995
  Received the Japan Ceramic Society Award ’94
• 1997
  Received an award at the International Enameled Porcelain Exhibition’97
• 2000
  Received the Japan Kōgei Association Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder Award at the 47th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2001
  Received the Hokkoku Cultural Award
  Received the Ishikawa Cultural Achievement Award
• 2002
  Received the Komatsu Culture Award
• 2003
  Received the 26th Ishikawa Television Broadcasting Award

Official Site / Social Media etc.

• Official Site