Uraguchi Masayuki

Born 1964, Ogikubo, Tokyo, Japan

While a student at the Tokyo University of the Arts, URAGUCHI MASAYUKI was invited by Hayashiya Seizō (1928-2017), then chief curator of ceramics at Tokyo National Museum, to view their celebrated National Treasure, a Southern Song celadon vase. This seminal encounter inspired him to enter the ceramics program under future Living National Treasure, Miura Koheiji (1993-2006), a specialist in celadon-glazing. The master’s mental fortitude and relentless focus on methodical testing paved the way for Uraguchi’s future career.

Inspired by the Southern Song celadons as well as the work of Japanese master ceramists Itaya Hazan and Okabe Mineo, Uraguchi spent years personally researching his own celadon glazes and clay bodies types. He also travelled to China to study first-hand the Song guan and longquan ceramics. Approaching celadon glazing much like a chemist, with meticulous testing of materials and firing, he has created his own double craquelure, crystalized glaze that prismatically reflects light. Uraguchi’s incredibly varied forms range from large-scale evocations of ancient Chinese bronzes to elegantly tapered modernist vases.