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Toshinori Munakata

宗像 利訓
Ceramics Artist • 1985 –

Toshinori Munakata is a ceramic artist striving in the field of pottery as the successor to the historic Munakata-gama kiln in Aizu-Misato-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, the birthplace of Aizu-Hongo ware. After studying in Kyoto and undergoing training in Izumo, he apprenticed under his father and grandfather. He combines local Matoba clay used for generations with glaze made from natural ash, employing techniques known as kake-wake (in which multiple glazes are applied separately) and kasane-gake (where different glazes are applied in layers) to express the nature of Aizu and the beauty of the four seasons in intricate shades. Toshinori has held solo exhibitions both domestically and internationally.

BASED IN
Aizu-Misato-machi, Fukushima Prefecture
WEB SITE

POINT OF VIEW

In the rich hues of glaze, the profound nature of Aizu is reflected. Only an artist who has nurtured their sensitivity by cherishing the local nature where they were born and raised can create such beautiful scenes. The days he spends with his eyes to the soil pursuing research on glazes that will express the scenery he envisions will surely continue, layered with the changing seasons.

CRAFT ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

1985

Born in Aizu-Misato-machi, Fukushima Prefecture

2014

First solo exhibition, Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo

Exhibited at “Phenomenon of Contemporary Ceramic” exhibition, Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum

2016

Solo exhibition, Kandori gallery, Hotel New Otani Tokyo (repeated in 2018)

2018

Silver Prize, “The Second China Ceramic Tea-set Products & Design Competition,” Jingdezhen, China

2019

Solo exhibition, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

Solo exhibition, Takashimaya Osaka

2021

Solo exhibition, Tokyo American Club

Solo exhibition, Artexpo New York, US (repeated in 2022)

2023

Solo exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo

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