Izuru Seitou

Bizen city in Okayama Prefecture is a pottery town with an impressive scenery of chimneys. In 1975, Mr. Izuru Yamamoto, a Bizen ware artist, opened a kiln when he became independent from his father, Mr. Toshu Yamamoto who was a great master of pottery throwing. He had once aspired to be a sculptor and now as a potter he established his own techniques such as “Syussai”- the usage of colored clay and “Tsumiage”- creating forms by stacking up plate-like clay and thus creating his own expression of Bizen ware. Currently, the task of expansion and exploration of new possibilities along with his free-minded spirit has been handed down to his sons, Shusaku and Ryosaku, and together in 2014 they established a new brand “Izuru Seitou” which is named after their father.

The products that the brothers developed is made from Bizen clay and mixed with pigments which resulted in vibrantly colored clay such as in blue and yellow hues. Despite the difficulty of bringing out colors from Bizen clay due its high-level of iron contents, through their numerous trials they managed to obtain the colors consistently. With a custom-made gas kiln that was specially designed to produce the natural texture of Bizen ware, they are further encouraged in their pursuit of creating pottery that fits the current lifestyle.

The brothers continue their pursuit in creating unique expression such as brightly colored clay as well as traditional techniques of Bizen such as “Hidasuki” which is a technique of creating patterns on Bizen wares by using straw. Actively participating in business conventions with overseas buyers, they continue to strive for the future. Concurrently, they give due respect to their inheritance by holding joint exhibitions with their father.