[Sozan SUWA]
A Japanese potter in Kyoto. The name has been succeeded from the first generation Sozan until today.
First Generation: Sozan (1851-1922)
His real name was Yoshitake. He was born in Kanazawa as the son of a feudal retainer. He learned porcelain painting after the Meiji Restoration and run the pottery products manufacturer business in Tokyo. Later he returned to Kanazawa and worked as an associate professor at the sculpture course of Ishikawa Industrial High School.
He started to use the art name “Sozan” in 1893. In 1900, he moved to Kyoto and invited to an Awatayaki products manufacturer as a trainer, then he became independent and established his own kiln in Gojozaka at the age of 56.
He was good at making copies of Kinutaseiji ( Chinese celadon porcelain). He died at the age of 71 in 1922.
Second Generation: Sozan (1890-1977)
Her real name was Torako. She was an adopted daughter of the first generation Sozan, and she succeeded the name in 1922.
Third Generation: Sozan (1932-2005)
His real name was Osamu. He was the second son of Sohou Yonezawa who was the brother of the 2nd Sozan, and he was adopted by the 2nd generation Sozan. He got married to Hiroko Nakamura who is the12th generation master of Sotetsu Nakamura (a lacquerartist. One of the Senke Jisshoku (The Ten Craftsmen of the House of Sen)) in 1960 and succeeded the 3rd generation Sozan in 1970.
When he became 70 years old in 2002, he got retired and handed over the name to his third daughter Kouki then changed his name as “Genshin”.
Fourth Generation: Sozan (1970-)
Her real name is Kouki Nakamura. She is the third daughter between the third generation Sozan and the12th generation master of Sotetsu Nakamura. She succeeded the 4th generation Sozan Suwa in 2002.