Kenkichi Tomimoto

Ceramic artist. Born into a landowner's family in Ando-cho, Ikoma-gun, Nara Prefecture, he graduated from the Department of Architecture in the Department of Design at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. In 1908 (Meiji 41), he went to England and studied at the Central School of Art in London. After returning to Japan in 1910, he formed a friendship with the British ceramic artist Bernard Leach, who was living in Japan, and gradually became devoted to ceramics. He initially tried making pottery in his hometown, but in 1915 (Taisho 4), he built his main kiln in Soshigaya, Tokyo, and began to create pottery in earnest. In the crafts world of the Taisho period, he focused on the design and shape of white porcelain, blue and white porcelain, and overglaze porcelain, and particularly opened up new horizons in overglaze porcelain. In 1927 (Showa 2), he established the Crafts Department of the Kokugakai and became a member, and in 1935 he was recommended as a member of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts. He also became a professor at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1944, but after the Second World War he resigned from this position and moved to Kyoto, where he perfected his own splendid and elegant style of painting, combining overglaze porcelain with gold and silver decoration. In 1949 (Showa 24), he became a professor at Kyoto City University of Arts, and in 1955 he was recognized as a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property for overglaze porcelain. In 1961 he was awarded the Order of Culture. His representative work is "Overglaze and Gold Decorated Vase with Fern Motif" (National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto). His literary activities are diverse, including craft criticism and commentary on works, and his main works include "Miscellaneous Notes from the Kiln Side," "Ceramics Records," and "Raku Ware Process."

[Yoshiaki Yabe January 19, 2017]

"Complete Collection of Modern Japanese Ceramics 3: Tomimoto Kenkichi" edited by Inui Yoshiaki (1980, Shueisha)" ▽ "Intangible Cultural Heritage Division, Cultural Properties Protection Department, Agency for Cultural Affairs, edited by Tomimoto Kenkichi, Colored Porcelain (1969, Daiichi Hoki Publishing)" ▽ "Miscellaneous Notes from the Kiln and Ceramics Notes by Tomimoto Kenkichi (Republished 1975, Bunka Publishing Bureau)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

陶芸家。奈良県生駒(いこま)郡安堵(あんど)町の地主の家に生まれ、東京美術学校図案科建築部を卒業。1908年（明治41）渡英、ロンドンの中央芸術学校に学ぶ。1910年に帰国後、在日中のイギリス人陶芸家バーナード・リーチと親交を結び、以来しだいに陶芸の道に傾倒していった。初めは郷里で作陶を試みたが、1915年（大正4）東京祖師谷(そしがや)に本窯を築き、以後本格的に制作活動に入った。大正期の工芸界にあって、白磁、染付(そめつけ)、色絵などの意匠・造形に意を注ぎ、とくに色絵磁器に新境地を切り開いた。1927年（昭和2）国画会に工芸部を設けて会員となり、1935年には帝国美術院会員に推挙された。また1944年東京美術学校の教授となったが、第二次世界大戦後はこれらの官職を辞し、京都に移って色絵に金銀彩を加えた華麗で典雅な独自の作風を完成した。1949年（昭和24）京都市立美術大学の教授となり、1955年には色絵磁器の重要無形文化財保持者に認定。1961年文化勲章受章。代表作に『色絵金彩羊歯文飾壺(しだもんかざりつぼ)』（京都国立近代美術館）がある。一方、彼の文筆活動は工芸批評、作品解説ほか多岐にわたり、おもなものに『窯辺雑記』『製陶余録』『楽焼工程』などがある。

［矢部良明　2017年1月19日］

『乾由明編『現代日本陶芸全集3　富本憲吉』（1980・集英社）』▽『文化庁文化財保護部無形文化課編『色絵磁器　富本憲吉』（1969・第一法規出版）』▽『富本憲吉著『窯辺雑記』『製陶余録』（復刊・1975・文化出版局）』

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