Shimizu Heishichi (1826–1896) – Founder of Onko Ware
Shimizu Heishichi, who used the artist name Onko, was a Japanese potter active in the 19th century and the creator of Onko-yaki, a distinctive style of pottery produced in Akasaka Village, Mino Province. This style, known for its unglazed reddish-brown stoneware, is made by blending red and white clay to create a warm, natural surface finish.
Some sources suggest that the originator of Onko-yaki was Shimizu Magoroku, with Shimizu Heishichi regarded as his nephew and successor.
After receiving initial training in pottery from his uncle, Heishichi studied Kuritayaki and Kiyomizuyaki in Kyoto, and further deepened his knowledge by visiting the kilns of Inbeyaki in Bizen. Through these experiences, he developed a unique and refined ceramic style rooted in traditional Japanese aesthetics.
According to the 1902 publication Tōkishōhō (The Pottery Trade Journal), Heishichi was recognized as one of "Japan’s 100 Great Ceramic Artists", a testament to his lasting influence on Japanese pottery.
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