Artist Encounters

At Kyoto’s Dainichi Kiln, father and son ceramicists Yotaro and Shigeo Takemura create works where tradition and innovation meet. From Shigeo’s natural-ash glazes to Yotaro’s striking color gradients, their craft reflects both heritage and bold contemporary vision.

We met Koichiro Isezaki in Kyoto shortly before he received the 2023 Japanese Ceramic Society Award. This post honors his legacy, his family’s Bizen tradition, and his bold, evolving artistry.