Maeda Masahiro is a contemporary Japanese ceramic artist known for his innovative use of color and texture in traditional forms. Born in 1954, Maeda incorporates modern aesthetics while staying rooted in the time-honored traditions of Japanese pottery. His works often feature striking geometric patterns and a unique application of pigments, creating a visual contrast that sets his pieces apart. They are also in the collections of museums around the world, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

This water jar showcases a distinctive checkered pattern in blue and silver pigments. The layered application of color enhances the visual depth, giving the jar a modern elegance. The jar's form, balanced and symmetrical, reflects a careful attention to both functionality and aesthetics, making it an ideal piece for the tea ceremony while also standing as a work of art in its own right. The use of silver pigment, in particular, adds a subtle reflective quality, drawing attention to the piece's intricate surface and delicate craftsmanship.

MAEDA Masahiro 前田正博 (b. 1948)

1948　 Born in Kumihama, Kyoto

1973 　Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition.

1975 　Completed the Graduate School of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, 　　　　　

Department of Crafts, majoring in ceramics

　　 　Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition

1983　Exhibited at the Japan Ceramic Art Today Exhibition

　　　Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. , Victoria and Albert Museum, London

1988 　Awarded the Encouragement Prize of the Japan Crafts Association,

　　　 Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition

1996 　Exhibited at the Asia Touring Exhibition of Contemporary Japanese Ceramics

1998 　Awarded the Encouragement Prize at the Exhibition of New Works of Traditional Crafts

2002 　Became a member of the Jury of the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition

2005　 Awarded the Excellence Prize at the Kikuchi Biennial Exhibition

2009　Awarded the Japan Crafts Association President Prize at the 56th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition

2010　 Awarded 17th MOA Okada Mokichi Award Exhibition, MOA Art Museum Prize

2011 　 Awarded The Ceramic Society of Japan Award

2015 　Awarded The 6th Creating Traditions Award

2017 　Awarded 37th Pola Prize for Traditional Culture, Excellent Prize

　　　 (Pola Foundation for Traditional Culture)

2019 　Awarded 68th Kanagawa Culture Award (Kanagawa Prefecture and Kanagawa Newspaper)

2020　Awarded 69th Yokohama Culture Award (City of Yokohama)

Currently an advisor to Kasama Ceramics University, Ibaraki Prefecture

Deputy Secretary General of Japan Ceramic Art Association

Public Collection:

Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art

The Museum of Ceramic Art, Ibaraki

MOA Art Museum

Kikuchi Kanjitsu Memorial Tomo Museum

The Japan Foundation

Yoshizawa Memorial Sano City Museum of Art

Tokyo Art Club

Yakushiji Temple, the head temple of the Hosso sect of Buddhism

Walters Art Museum

Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

Art Institute of Chicago

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Brooklyn Museum of Art

Museum of Arts and Design