Introduction

Okayama Prefectural Living Treasure
Bizen Ware Potter
Izuru Yamamoto

·Pursuing the Possibilities of Bizen Pottery (Bizen-yaki)

He studied carving and sculpture while he was student. After graduation, he studied under his father, Toshu Yamamoto who was a Living National Treasure. When he became independent, he pursued the possibilities of the 'clay', and invented techniques called 'Tatakikomi' and 'Shussai' (patted colored clay onto pottery).
When he discovered the clay from Bourgogne, France, he established a style of novel and unconventional form of pottery, called 'Tsumiage', a technique of piling up plated clay. His work is based on the inherited Bizen pottery, though he adopts new ideas onto the tradition. He still is an active potter.

·To the next generation

Izuru Yamamoto's two sons (Shusaku, Ryosaku) succeed his father's technique and adopt new ideas with their own sensibility and they are expected to be a part of the next generation of Bizen potters.

Biography

1944

Born as the fourth son of Toshu Yamamoto who was a Living National Treasure.

1967

Graduated from Musashino Art University, TokyoDepartment of sculpting.

1968

Graduated from Musashino Art University, Tokyo Department of specialized sculpting.

1969

Studied at Ecole des Beaux-Arts, Paris Department of sculpting,
studied and lived there for 2 years.

Exhibition at Paris Rodin Museum

1970

After the return from abroad, started to study pottery under his own father who was a Living National Treasure of Bizen ware.

1975

Became an independent potter and made his own kiln in Imbe, Okayama and started to establish his unique technique of 'Tatakikomi' (patting the pottery in a unique way).

1979

Became a member of the Japan Kogei Association. (Arts and Crafts Association)

1980

Collaborated with Serge Fribault, a chef of Lenotre and held an event, 'Eat French' using his pottery in Tokyo.

Received a prize at the 27th Exhibition of Japan Kogei Association for the piece, 'Bizen Tatakikomi Baimon Obachi' (pattern of Japanese plum blossoms on a large bowl).

1982

Became a member of Okayama Kenten (prefectural art association).

Established his own technique, 'Shussai' (colorings).

1983

Received a prize at The China and Japan International Pottery Exhibition for his 'Bizen Clay Shussai Obachi'.

Invited to exhibit 'Bizen Tatakikomi Kurobara (black rose) Obachi' and 'Bizen Tatakikomi Baimon Obachi' at the Japanese Modern Pottery Exhibitions in The Smithsonian Museum, Washington, USA, and The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK.

Invited to exhibit the awarded 'Bizen Tatamikomi Baimon Obachi' at The 30th Anniversary Exhibition of The Japan Kogei Association.

'Bizen Tatakikomi Kurobara (black rose) Obachi'

1985

'Bizen Clay Shussai Obachi' received The Kaneshige Toyo Award from the Japan Kogei Association of the Chugoku area.

'Bizen Clay Shussai Obachi'

1986

Received a prize from the Japan Kogei Association.

1987

'Bizen Yohen Hanaire' (a flower vase with kiln effects) was housed at The Brooklyn Museum, USA.

The Japan Foundation bought 'Bizen Clay Shussai Obachi'.

'Bizen Yohen Hanaire' (a flower vase with kiln effects)

1989

Established the technique 'Tsumiage' (piling plated clays).

1990

Exhibited at 'Modern and Ancient Pottery, Discovery of Clay' of The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park.

left：Tsumiage Kaki (Flower Vase), Titled 'Hishou' (Fly Away)
right：Tsumiage Kaki (Flower Vase)

1992

Became a judge of The Japan Kogei Association of Chugoku Area.

Received the Grand Prize for 'Bizen Clay Tsumiage Shussai Tsubakimon Hanaire' (Camellia Patterned Flower Vase done in the Tsumiage Shussai style).

1993

Invited by Kenten (prefectural exhibition).

'Bizen Tsumiage Kaki (flower vase)' was selected at The Japan Kogei Association Exhibition.

Discovered the clay of Bourgogne.

Tsumiage Kaki (Flower Vase) titled 'Yugo No Chu' (Union of the Universe)

1994-1998

Became a panel of judges for NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), Chugoku area.

1995

Worked at a castle in Yonne, Bourgogne, France.

NHK satellite TV broadcasted his work in Bourgogne.

1996

Held an exhibition at Chateau de Ratilly in Bourgogne, France (22nd June-15th Sep),

Tenmaya department store, Japan (17th Oct-21st Oct).

Exhibition at Tenmaya department store

Exhibition at Chateau de Ratilly

1997

Received the Okayama Prefectural Culture Award.

Invited to exhibit 'Tsumiage Kaki', at 'Tradition of 1000 Years of Bizen Pottery at the Musee National de Ceramique, held by Sanyo Shimbun (Sanyo Newspaper).

left・right：Tsumiage Kaki (Flower Vase)

1998

Invited to exhibit 'The Return of Bizen Pottery' in Tokyo, Hiroshima, and Okayama held by the Sanyo Shimbun Company.

2000

Higashi Hiroshima City Museum bought 'Tsumiage Kaki'.

Invited to exhibit in Bandol, Provence, France and invited for potters exchange meeting and forum as a lecturer.

Dedicated 'Houyou' (Embrace) to Ise Shrine.

2002

Received an award from the Tabe Museum for 'Yugo No Chu' (Union of Universe) made with clays of Bizen and Bourgogne by 19th 'Cha no Yu Exhibition.'

Received an award from the Tabe Museum

2006

Received the 64th Sanyo Shinbun (cultural effort) award.

2007

Received an award at the 2nd Kikuchi biennale with tsumiage flower vase, 'Hoyo' (W56.8xD42.5xH68.2cm) made with clays of Bizen and Bourgogne.

Received an award from Kikuchi biennale

2009

The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo housed 'Bizen Tatakikomi Baimon Obachi'.

'Bizen Tatakikomi Baimon Obachi'

2012

Acknowledged as Okayama Prefectural Living Treasure.

Publish and Broadcast

1993

Kodan-sha 9th edition of'Modern Japanese Potteries'.

1995

Yonne, Bourgogne newspaper, with the work at a castle.

NHK BS1 (satellite TV) broadcasted 'Bizen to Bourgogne - Challenge of a potter'.

1996

French pottery magazine 'Ceramique' of July.

2000

NHK BS2 broadcasted 'Form of Hoyo, Izuru Yamamoto'.

2003

ANA magazine 'Tsubasa no Okoku'.

2005

Kateigasho Iternational Edition.

Yonne, Bourgogne newspaper

French pottery magazine 'Ceramique' of July

right：ANA magazine 'Tsubasa no Okoku'
left：Kateigasho Iternational Edition.

Pursuit of new Bizen pottery

Provision of video:NHK

Tsumiage (piling up)

Piling plates of clay, mixed with Bizen and Bourgogne.

Shussai (coloring)

Kneading pigment into the clay and put onto the body of work.

Clay of Bourgogne

Izuru Yamamoto discovered the clay of Bourgogne. It contains ingredients 'kaolin' similar to Bizen clay. It is smooth and it does not shrink less than Bizen clay when it is baked. Mix of Bizen and Bourgogne clays enabled to establish the technique of Tsumiage. The advantage of the mix of clays carry the tradition with the smooth surface of the work.

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