Introduction of the second generation Seiho
Seiho’s son, also called Seiho, has dedicated his life to pottery art since he was 19 years old. He has sought to continue the work of developing and perfecting Kishu ware and Nachiguro-Yu which his father had revived a generation earlier. He has been seeking to create unique works of art whilst keeping true to Japanese tradition.
(Life of the second Seiho)
- 1946
- Born in Wakayama prefecture
- 1965
- Started his career working under his father
- 1976
- Adopted his father’s name, Seiho
- 1995
- Moved his pottery atelier to the current location
- 2011
- Was commended for the advancement of culture by the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture
- 2012
- Was commended for the advancement of culture by the mayor of Shirahama Town
- (Current assignment)
- Judge of Wakayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
Judge of Wakayama City Art Exhibition
Judge of Tanabe City Art Exhibition
Introduction of the first Seiho
Seiho studied pottery techniques under Mr. Sozan Sawada, a well-known potter. In 1932, he opened his first pottery atelier at Koyaguchi-Odawara in Wakayama Prefecture after working for 5 years as a chief manager at Aichi Prefectural Institute of Ceramic Industry.
Mr. Yorisada Tokugawa, the former lord of the Kishu Domain, was very concerned about the demise of Kishu pottery following the end of the Domain System and was looking for a person who would be able to revive it. Mr. Tokugawa met Seiho, found his works outstanding and asked him to revive the Kishu pottery tradition. Seiho was deeply touched by Mr. Tokugawa’s enthusiasm and determined to dedicate his life to this project. He was given the name for his pottery atelier, Aoi-Gama, by Mr. Tokugawa. (Aoi, a hollyhock, is the family crest of the Tokugawas.)
While struggling in the chaos and poverty after World War II, Seiho strove to research different types of glaze and finally succeeded in producing the new glaze, Nachiguro-Yu, in 1956. In 1962 he presented a tea bowl for serving powdered green tea to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress Showa when they made a visit to Nanki Shirahama. In 1970, he was accredited as a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs. In 1975, in the year he died, he received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays.
(Life of the first Seiho)
- 1899
- Born in Osaka, moved to Kyoto
- 1919
- Became Mr. Sozan Sawada‘s pupil and started his career
- 1927
- Became a chief manager at Aichi Prefectural Institute of Ceramic Industry on Mr. Sawada’s recommendation
- 1932
- Opened his first pottery atelier at Koyaguchi-Odawara in Wakayama Prefecture
- 1937
- Given the name for his pottery atelier, Aoi-Gama, by Mr. Yorisada Tokugawa
- 1956
- First produce a new glaze, Nachiguro-Yu
- 1962
- Presented a bowl to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress Showa
- 1967
- Moved his pottery atelier to Katada, Shirahama Town
- 1970
- Was Accredited as a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs
- 1972
- Held his sole-exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi
Was commended for the advancement of culture by Wakayama Prefecture
Was accredited as the first Intangible cultural property by Shirahama Town - 1973
- Held his sole-exhibition at Mitsukoshi in Tokyo, Matsuyama and Osaka
- 1975
- Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, passed away