Miyanohara Ken 宮之原 謙 Japanese, 1898-1977

Born in 1898 in Kagoshima City, Miyanohara Ken was one of the most highly celebrated potters of his time. His work is well-respected and widely known among connoisseurs in Japan and South Korea, though an exhibition of his works in the West remains unrealized. His works defies easy categorization, as he mastered a range of styles during his lifetime, notably Chinese glazes such as Tenmoku and celadon over stoneware and porcelain. That being said, his pieces featuring cinnabar tenmoku glaze and jars adorned with curvilinear geometric patterns on the surface are particularly esteemed. Certainly, his works hold a revered place within the heart of Japanese modern ceramics.