Yoshinori Akazawa (, born 1971 -) is a contemporary artist and ceramicist. He is known as the 5th generation head of the Akazawa Roseki studio (Akazawa Roseki V), specializing in traditional and contemporary Japanese ceramics.
Early life and education Yoshinori Akazawa was born to the ceramic artist Akazawa Roseki IV, a lineage with a history as ceramic spanning around 150 years. Until the Edo period, Akazawa, his family line served as temple officials (tera-samurai) at Myoshin-ji Temple for generations.
Akazawa studied Japanese painting called Nihonga, the foundation of visual expression, at Kyoto City University of Arts. Furthermore, at several ceramics research facilities, he explored contemporary artistic expression by fusing traditional Kyō ware and Kiyomizu ware ware techniques with original ideas while exploring modern artistic expressions.
Artistic Style and Philosophy Akazawa defines his artistic concept as "The Art of Governing Light." While Western art forms like Italian mosaics often emphasize the beauty of "transmitted light," Akazawa focuses on capturing and fixing light onto the surface of ceramics—a medium rooted in the earth. Through this approach, he reinterprets the vibrant glazes of traditional Kochi-yaki (Kochi ware, Cochin ware) as a means of controlling luminosity .Giovannini, Rolando. Going to Pieces. New Harmony, Softness and Musicality: Reflections on the work of the Master artist Yoshinori Akazawa. Yoshinori Akazawa 赤沢嘉則, Thinker In Space. Exh. cat. Kyoto: Kyoto Ceramic Center, 2019
Awards and Activities
2009: Received the “3rd Purchasing Prize” at the 10th Ex-tempore Piran International Ceramics, Piran, Slovenia.EXPRESSION OF THE EARTH 2 EX-TEMPORE PIRAN 2005-2009. Exh. cat. Piran, Slovenia, 2010. ISBN 978-961-6394-45-1 2009: Received the “Prize of Medal of Rotary Club Faenza” at the 56th Faenza prize, MIC/International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza, Faenza, Italy.Regione Emilia Romagna online Italy about Yoshinori Akazawa https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/dettaglio-aut/?s_id=147867 2017: Received the “Prize of Targa Argent” and “Honorable mention” at the 39th International Ceramic Art Competition of Gualdo Tadino City, Gualdo Tadino, Italy.Triennal of Contemporary Ceramic Art of Gualdo Tadino. Exh. cat., Pro Tadino, Gualdo Tadino, Italy 2022, ISBN 978-88-946107-1-0Giovannini, Rolando. "39. Concorso internazionale della ceramica d’arte Città di Gualdo Tadino 2017 : l’acqua meraviglia della terra" . Exh. cat. Gualdo Tadino: L'arteGrafica, 2017 2024: Received the "Prima Segnalata" Award at the International Ceramic Art Competition "CERAMICS IN LOVE - MARCO POLO" in Italy. Selected Works: Created and dedicated 15 fusuma-e (fusuma paintings) to Sōken-ji Temple at the ruins of Azuchi Castle.
Public Collection
Museum of Kyoto Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art Azuchi castle ruins Sōken-ji temple International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza, Italy Art Museum of City of Ravenna, ItalyMuseo d'Arte della Città ONLINE Akazawa Yoshinori https://bbcc.regione.emilia-romagna.it/lista-risultati/?share=R4h4v2FeoU2O Raffaele Bendandi House Museum, Faenza, ItalyAlta Collezione Ambiente e Universo| a cura di Paola Pescerelli Lagorio, Rolando Giovannini. Exh. cat., Casa Museo Raffaele Bendandi, Editrice La Mandragora s.r.l. – Imola Italy, May 2024, . Gualdo Tadino Contemporary Ceramic Art Collection, Gualdo Tadino, Italy Palazzo Botton, Castellamonte, Italy Musée Ariana Cultur center Kapfenberg Museum, AustriaSigns and Miracles: International ceramics Biennale in Kapfenberg. Exh. cat.: Kapfenberg, Austria, 2013. Herman Pečarič gallery, Piran, Slovenia Rothko Museum Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal UniversityMemory of Tradition – Japan / Turkey – Bolu – Turkey, New Ceramics, 25/02, Germany, March 2025. ISSN 1860-1049 Museum of Ceramics in La Rambla, Spain Museum of Ceramics in L’Alcora, Spain Museus d’Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain18 BIENNAL DE CERÀMICA D’ESPLUGUES ANGELINA ALÓS. Exh. cat.: Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain, 2017.p.24 https://museus.esplugues.cat/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Memòria-2016.pdf Caldas da Rainha Municipality Museum, Portugal Changchun International Ceramics Gallery, China National Ceramic Art Center, Tunisia
References