Hori Ichirō

Ceramics as a breath of tradition and landscape.

Between heritage and modernity

Born in Toki, Gifu Prefecture, Hori Ichirō belongs to a line of ceramists deeply rooted in the traditions of Shino and Oribe, emblematic styles of the Mino region. Trained by his father, he quickly became interested in exploring the resources of the local earth, while renewing the aesthetic codes inherited from Momoyama. His pieces embody a quest between rusticity and refinement, where each firing in a wood-fired kiln becomes a dialogue with the flame.

An aesthetic rooted in the land of Mino

Hori Ichirō’s artistic vocabulary draws on Shino and Oribe glazes, playing with their subtle nuances: chalky whites shot through with traces of iron, deep greens enlivened by natural drips. His forms, often inspired by tea bowls, vases, and jars, reflect a quest for simplicity and authenticity. The assumed irregularities, cracks, and surface variations reflect a wabi-sabi aesthetic, where beauty resides in imperfection and the passage of time.

A work at the crossroads of ritual and experimentation

Hori Ichirō places the tea ceremony at the heart of his approach: his bowls (chawan) are designed as objects of meditation, where the everyday gesture rises to the level of a ritual. His approach combines technical mastery and freedom, incorporating experiments in the firing process, which allow nature and chance to shape the final appearance of the pieces. Above all, he seeks to create a sensitive space between the object, the user, and the moment experienced.

Recognition and Collections

Hori Ichirō is considered one of the contemporary masters of Shino. His works have been exhibited in Japan and internationally and are included in prestigious collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and the Tokyo National Museum. He has also participated in major exhibitions on contemporary Japanese ceramics, affirming the vitality and relevance of Mino traditions.

Present in the permanent collections of museums:

• Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA; Tokyo National Museum, Japan
• Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto (MOMAK), Japan
• Gifu Museum of Ceramic Art, Japan

Awards

Winner of several awards in Japan for his research on Shino glazes.
Recognized as one of the leading ceramicists of the Mino Revival.
Local and national awards for his contribution to the transmission of heritage.