Kiyoko Koyama / Japan

Pioneer of Modern Wood-Fired Ceramic Art / Revivalist of Contemporary / Kamishino Ware Pottery in Japan

Kiyoko Koyama, in 1963, stumbled upon an ancient kiln site in Shigaraki by chance. She personally excavated fragments of pottery bowls from the kiln site and was amazed by the long-lost ancient Shigaraki green glaze she saw on the pottery pieces.

"Shigaraki" is one of Japan's six major ancient kiln sites. However, during that time, the prevalent belief in the Japanese ceramics industry was that glazing methods using electric or gas kilns were the way forward to increase production capacity. "Unglazed" firing methods were considered primitive and had no future prospects in the Japanese pottery world at the time. But Kiyoko Koyama, undeterred by the challenging environment, persevered through numerous failures and eventually recreated the ancient Shigaraki green natural glaze. This caused quite a stir and sensation in the Japanese pottery scene.

This piece represents Kiyoko Koyama's masterpiece in firing "natural glaze."

▍ Biography

2023 Passed away from lung cancer at the age of 87.

2021 Taiwan-Japan Affinity: Kiyoko Koiyama Wood-fired Pottery Exhibition, Zhunan Snake Kiln, Taiwan

2013 Shigaraki Wood-fired Natural Glaze Beauty Solo Exhibition, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan

2010-2012 Under the title of Goodwill Ambassador of Shiga Prefecture, showcased artworks and gave speeches in Michigan, USA, and continued to tour in the United States, including Maui Island in Hawaii.

2007-2009 "The Charm...Contemporary, Japan's Most Eye-catching Pottery Exhibition" is being showcased in Japan and touring worldwide, including exhibitions at the Sabre Art Museum in France and major art museums across the United States.

2000 Exhibition of artworks at the Art Academy of Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and artworks collected.

1989 Held a solo exhibition in Granada, Spain, showcased artworks at the Everson Museum of Art, and artworks were collected.

1953 Started learning pottery drawing in Shigaraki, studied under Eijiro Yoshitake and Kenju Nakajima.

1975-1976The Japanese NHK TV station aired "Soil, Fire, and Me" featuring the introduction of Shigaraki natural glaze. The following year, NHK TV broadcasted the program "土と炎と私", producing a special episode on the Shigaraki natural glaze presentation, introducing Kiyoko Kamiyama's pottery life to the entire nation.

1970 Built an anagama kiln on the ancient Shigaraki site, researching natural glaze.

1963 Started officially engaging in pottery creation, learning craftsmanship under the guidance of Nekono Sakutarō.

1944 Moved to Shiga Prefecture due to the war.

1936 Born in Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture.

▍ Impact and Contributions to Society

2019-2020 A NHK TV drama titled "緋紅" (Sukareto) based on the life of Kiyoko Koyama airs.

2004 A movie titled "火・火" (Hibi) was produced based on the story of Kiyoko Kamiyama.

1990-1991 Her eldest son Kenichi suffered from chronic spinal leukemia, and the following year, he passed away. Subsequently, Kiyoko Kamiyama became the initiator of Japan's bone marrow donation organization.