Kozo Kimura

Kozo Kimura (木村　宏造) is a member of one of the original six families that were allowed to make Bizen pottery during the reign of Ikeda Mitsumasa, the head of the Bizen Clan (1584-1616), and they have continued to make pottery in the Bizen tradition ever since.

Kozo san was born in 1941 and is the oldest son of Ichiyo Kimura, who established the climbing kiln, Ichiyogama.

In 1989 he inherited his father’s business and this kiln.

He was inaugurated as the chairman of Bizenyaki Touyuukai in 2011 and he is also recognized as a Traditional Craftsman of Japan.

A handled vase with signed wooden box.


and the lid of the box.

Finally the base with Kozo Kimura's incised signature.