Kota TanakaKota Tanaka

Relationship between students and their style

Tanaka Kota is known as a disciple of the famous Karatsu ware artist Nakagawa Shizenbou, and while he has been influenced by Nakagawa, he is a Karatsu ware artist with his own unique style. Tanaka's style is a little more meticulous than his teacher's bold style.

A long relationship with the owner of Ichibankan and a Karatsu ware artist

I have had a relationship with the owner of Ichibankan, Mr. Sakamoto, since before I went independent, and we have had interactions such as visiting the kiln of Professor Takesue Hiomi in Tsushima as part of a training session for young artists.

The name of the kiln, "Bochugama," is taken from the place name Bochu, and Nakazato Takashi was also involved in naming it. Nakazato Takashi personally wrote the kiln sign, which is still displayed in the kiln today. Although he is not in a master-disciple relationship with Yano Naoto, he is close to him, and his friendly personality earns him the respect of fellow potters.

Featured Karatsu Pottery Artists

Tanaka's works are fired in a wood-fired kiln and have a strong, unique style, but they are increasingly being used by professional chefs and restaurants and are gaining popularity. His "Hizen Komainu" work has also been adopted by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Fukuoka, making him a promising Karatsu ware artist.