Hori Ichirō 堀一郎
Hori Ichirō, born in 1952 into a family of ceramicists in Gifu and studied in his youth under the living national treasure, Katō Kōzō (born 1935). In 1984, he built his own anagama (tunnel) kiln in the mountains of Mizunami town, where he continued to experiment with traditional materials and techniques, producing pieces of great complexity and variety.
Voluntarily isolated from modern life, he lives in the den of his oven which he lights twice a year. He uses traditional, long, low-temperature firings to allow the reddish tones of the clay to emerge through the thick, creamy glazes. Using all of Mino's traditional styles as a basis, Hori's inner tension and strength emerge in clear, energetic forms.
Presence in permanent museum collections:
- Cincinnati Art Museum, USA
- Crocker Museum of Art, USA
- Minneapolis Institute of Art, USA
- San Antonio Museum of Art, USA
- Seattle Art Museum, USA
- Victoria & Albert Museum, England