ITAYA HAZAN

born 1872, Shimodate, Japan died 1963, Shimodate Japanese potter known for his depiction of noble figures and his skill as a colourist. After studying sculpture at the Tokyo Fine Arts School, Itaya graduated in 1894 and then studied ceramics, building a kiln in Tokyo in 1904. In 1953 he received the Bunka Kunsho (Order of Culture). Itaya's most famous works include a pot decorated with flowers in bright glaze (1935) and a coloured ceramic vase decorated with auspicious flowers and a phoenix (1927).