[Mumyoui Ware]
One style of Japanese pottery produced in Sado island, Ni'igata prefecture. The first Mumyoui ware was produced in 1819 by Jinpei Ito with mumyoi clay, which contains ferrous oxide, and later Jouzan Miura the first developed new methods such as high-temperature firing to improve its strength. As Mumyoi pottery is fired in a kiln at a high temperature, it becomes exceptionally hard and they produces a clear metallic sound when tapped.
Mumyoui ware was designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property in 2003.
Tezuka Gyokudo
A line of Japanese Kyo-yaki potters currently in its second generation. They produce out of Gyokudo kiln.
● Tezuka Gyokudo I (1896 - 1977)
A Nagano native who established his kiln in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto in 1916. Tezuka was particularly skilled with blue and white porcelain.
Tezuka had five sons, four of whom became potters: eldest son Satoshi (who would go on to become the second generation Gyokudo), second son Hisashi, third son Daiji, and fifth son Sekiun.
● Tezuka Gyokudo II (1933 - present)
Birth name: Satoshi
Satoshi began studying pottery under his father in 1953, and became Tezuka Gyokudo II after the latter's death in 1977. He mainly creates tea utensils, holding personal exhibitions in cities across Japan.