Tsuji Seimei
辻 清明
(1927-2008)
Tsuji was celebrated for his functional pieces, like tea wares, as well as sculptural works inspired by his collection of antiques. Believing it is the purest form of Japanese pottery, Tsuji fired mostly Shigaraki and Karatsu at his kiln Renkoji in Tama-shi. Based in Tokyo it was unusual for him to focus on these styles. Shigaraki, the name of a town in Shiga Prefecture, has a distinctive style of pottery, made from prized clay taken from its hills. Tsuji’s use of Shigaraki clay combined with his unique style became known as "Tokyo-Shigaraki." Tsuji's work, which blended tradition with innovation, left a lasting impact on Japanese ceramics. He passed away in 2008, leaving behind a significant artistic legacy.