The Unique Beauty Born from Red Clay — Living National Treasure of Mumyoi Ware

Ito Sekijin（Ito Sekisui V) was born in Sado City, Niigata Prefecture, as the fifth-generation successor of a pottery family with a 400-year history.
He is a Living National Treasure celebrated for carrying on the tradition of Mumyoi Ware and for his numerous distinguished awards.

By harnessing Sado’s distinctive red clay and his own innovative techniques, he has opened new horizons in Japan’s world of traditional crafts.
Balancing both tradition and innovation, his works have earned widespread acclaim both domestically and internationally.

Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property “White Porcelain”

What exactly is white porcelain?
What is the true nature of vessel form? I have continued turning the potter’s wheel to this day while asking myself these questions.
I still find myself constantly questioning, but I believe it is essential to continue creating while maintaining this spirit of inquiry.
Vessel forms such as jars, bowls, plates, and lidded containers made on the potter’s wheel have been created in abundance since ancient times, yet when viewed from a different perspective, they are abstract and free sculptural forms.
By removing preconceived notions of how things must be made, I believe new possibilities for vessel forms begin to emerge.
At times, my work seems to transcend the boundaries of traditional vessel forms, but I aspire to create my own contemporary interpretation of white porcelain through simple sculptural expression.

Biography

• 1957 Born in Kyoto Prefecture
• 1980 Graduated from Kinki University
• 1981 Completed Ceramics Main Course at Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute
• 1982 Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Vocational Training School
• 1983 Completed Ceramics Advanced Course at Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute
• 1987 Established independent kiln in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
• 2010 Part-time lecturer at Kyoto City University of Arts, Department of Crafts (~2013)
• 2012 Artist-in-Residence invitation (Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park/Shiga), Primary screening committee member for 59th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2013 Appointed as Director of Japan Kōgei Association (~2020), Designated as Holder of Shiga Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property
• 2015 Primary screening committee member for 62nd Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2018 Primary screening committee member for 65th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2020 Appointed as Executive Director of Japan Kōgei Association (~June 2024)
• 2022 Secondary screening committee member for 69th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2023 Secondary screening committee member for 70th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
• 2024 Primary screening committee member for 71st Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Designated as Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property “Celadon”

Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property “Iroe Jiki (Colored Porcelain)”

Inheriting the traditions of Edo-period Iro-Nabeshima, he incorporates sumi-hajiki (ink resist), thin ink (blown ink), and platinum coloring techniques. His delicate white snow flower ink resist technique is particularly an original method. He believes his works are born from the accumulation of 400 years of Arita techniques and the support of people.

With honest eyes, he wants people to enjoy viewing his works with sensitivity, saying “How beautiful,” “How captivating,” or “I love this.” He believes that doing so will give birth to even deeper aesthetic consciousness.