Izuru Yamamoto

  • Ceramics
  • 1944 -
Izuru Yamamoto

Using original techniques.

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama
  • 1944 Born in Bizen
  • 1967 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Sculpture
  • 1968 Graduated from Musashino Art University, Department of Specialized Sculpture
  • 1969 Studied at Ecole des Beaux-Arts Paris, Department of Sculpture for two years
  • 1970 Studied under his father Toshu Yamamoto after returning to Japan and started his career in pottery
  • 1975 Built a kiln in Imbe, Okayama and becomes independent
    Starts working on original technique "tatakikomi"
  • 1979 Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
  • 1982 Becomes appointed artist of the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
    Starts working on original technique "Bizen clay shussai"
  • 1983 Invited to submit "Bizen Tatakikomi Black Rose Patterned Large Bowl" and "Bizen Tatakikomi Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" to the Japanese Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition at the Smithsonian Museum (Washington D.C., USA) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK)
    Invited to submit the Japan Kōgei Association Award winning artwork "Bizen Tatakikomi Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" to the Japan Kōgei Association 30th Anniversary Exhibition
  • 1987 "Bizen Flower Vase with Kiln Effects" added to the collection of the Brooklyn Museum (New York, USA)
    "Bizen Clay Shussai Large Bowl" purchased by the Japan Foundation
  • 1989 Starts working on original technique "tsumiage"
  • 1990 Invited to submit to "Contemporary Ceramics and Primitive Earthenware - The Discovery of Clay" Exhibition at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park Museum
  • 1992 Becomes Judge for the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch
  • 1993 Invited to the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
    "Bizen Clay Tsumiage Flower Vase" selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
    Starts working on ceramics using Bizen clay and Burgundy clay from France
  • 1995 Worked on pottery at a castle Chateau-de-Ratilly in Yonne, Burgundy, France
    "Bizen Ware Goes to Burgundy" broadcasted on NHK Satellite Broadcasting program
    (NHK Okayama Broadcasting Station accompanies and produces the program)
  • 1996 Held an exhibition at Chateau-de-Ratilly in Yonne, Burgundy, France
    Exhibition at Tenmaya Okayama Store
  • 1997 Invited to submit "Tsumiage Flower Vase" to "Bizen Ware - The Traditional Beauty of 1000 Years" Exhibition held at The National Museum of Ceramics (Musee national de Ceramique, Sèvres, Paris, France) sponsored by Sanyo Shimbun
  • 1998 Invited to submit "Tsumiage Flower Vase" to the Homecoming Exhibition of the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition sponsored by Sanyo Shimbun held in Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Okayama
  • 2000 "Tsumiage Flower Vase" purchased by Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art
    Invited to submit to a ceramics exhibition in Bandol, Provence, France
    Also inivited as lecturer at the exchange meeting of ceramic artists of the exhibition and forum
    Dedicated Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace" to the Ise Jingu
  • 2003 Selected for the 17th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
  • 2006 Invited to submit to the Asian Contemporary Art Fair held in New York, USA
    Invited to submit to SOFA Chicago (USA)
  • 2007 ”Colored Clay Large Bowl" selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2008 Submitted to the 2nd Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony at Musee Tomo
    Donated artwork to the Okayama Prefectural Library
    Exhibition catalogue of solo exhibition at Chateau-de-Ratilly in Yonne, Burgundy, France in 1996 "IZURU YAMAMOTO Potier de Bizen" published
  • 2009 "Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" (awarded at the 27th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition) added to the collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
  • 2012 Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture
  • 2017 Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace" added to the collection of Portland Art Museum
    "Tsumiage Water Pitcher" added to the collection of Minneapolis Institute of Art
    "Tsumiage Water Pitcher" added to the collection of Crocker Art Museum
  • 2018 Interviewed for tsumiage artworks for "Japan - France 160 Years of Friendship Anniversary Program" made by a French Television Station
  • 2020 "Tsumiage Flower Vase" awarded at the 40th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition added to the collection of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo

  • 1980Received the Japan Kogei Association Incentive Award for "Bizen tatakikomi Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl" at the 27th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1983Received the Incentive Award for "Bizen Clay Shussai Large Bowl" at the Chunichi International Exhibition of Ceramic Arts
  • 1985Received the Toyo Kaneshige Award for "Bizen Clay Shussai Large Bowl" at the Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1986Received the Japan Kōgei Association Chairman Award at the Chūgoku Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1992Received the Sanyo Shimbun Grand Award for "Bizen Clay Tsumiage Shussai Camellia Patterned Flower Vase" at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
  • 1997Received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award
  • 2002Received the Tanabe Museum Grand Award for the Bizen / Burgundy Clay Tsumiage Flower Vase ”Merging Sky"at the 19th “Arts of the Tea Ceremony” Exhibition
  • 2006Received the 64th Sanyo Shimbun Award (Cultural Merits Award) from Sanyo Shimbun
  • 2007Received the Grand Award at the 2nd Kikuchi Biennale

  • 2002 The Tanabe Museum of Art (Tsumiage Flower Vase ”Merging Sky")
  • 2007 Musee Tomo (Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace")
  • 2009 The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo ("Plum Blossom Patterned Large Bowl")
  • 2017 Portland Art Museum (Tsumiage Flower Vase "Embrace"), Minneapolis Institute of Art (Tsumiage Water Pitcher), Crocker Art Museum (Tsumiage Water Pitcher)
  • 2019 The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo (Tsumiage Flower Vase ”Merging Sky")
19 artworks posted