(b Ando, Nara Prefecture, 5 June 1886; d Kyoto, 8 June 1963). Japanese ceramicist. In 1904 he entered the design department of the Tokyo Bijutsu Gakko (Tokyo School of Art; now Tokyo University of Fine Arts & Music) and specialized in architecture and interior design. In 1908, after presenting his graduation project early, he went to study at the Central School of Art in London. During his stay he studied the work of William Morris and the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington. In 1910 he returned to Japan and became closely associated with Bernard Leach. In the following year he was invited to work as an interpreter for Leach, who was a pupil of Kenzan VI (1853–1923), and also experimented with ceramics. In 1913 he built a Raku kiln in Ando. During this period he strengthened his belief in creative production—in ‘not making imitations from pre-designed patterns’.

• Tomimoto, Kenkichi
  • Japan, §VIII, 4(i)(a): Traditional ceramics, after 1868: Folk art movement
  • Japan, §VIII, 4(i)(d): Traditional ceramics, after 1868: Post-war developments
  • Japan, §VIII, 4(ii): Non-traditional wares and ceramic sculpture, after 1868
  • Japan, §XXI, 2(i)(d): Japanese museums: Specialist
  • Kyoto, §III, 3: Centre of ceramics production, after 1868
  • Leach, Bernard
  • Mingei, §4: Legacy
  • groups and movements
    • Mingei, §1: Early years
  • works
    • Nojima, Yasuzo
    • Ohara