Noutomi Susumu – Hagi Ware Potter of Taikazan Choun Kiln

Noutomi Susumu is a Hagi ware potter based in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. His work is produced at Taikazan Choun Kiln, and he is especially known for his Aohagi pieces and the Yuragi series, which have brought him recognition both in Japan and overseas.

His work shows the expressive range of Hagi ware, from soft White Hagi glaze tones to vivid Aohagi blue surfaces. In his Aohagi pieces, blue and pale blue tones are created with the same Aohagi glaze. These differences are not caused by separate glazes, but by the color of the clay and the subtle interaction of flame, heat and earth inside the climbing kiln.

His pieces include matcha chawan, vases and other ceramics that combine traditional Hagi ware techniques with a distinctive contemporary sensibility.

At Artistic Nippon, we introduce selected Hagi ware works by Noutomi Susumu, including chawan and other pieces that show the beauty of Hagi glaze movement, color variation and natural surface expression.

Potter's Profile – Noutomi Susumu

1951, February 19 - Born in Hagi, Yamaguchi Prefecture
1973 - Graduated from the Department of Engineering, Kanto Gakuin University
1975 - Started his apprenticeship under his father, Choun
1985 - Started producing pieces with his own stamp

Awards and Prizes

Since 1985, Noutomi Susumu has entered pieces in numerous exhibitions and has been awarded various prizes, including:

1990 - Incentive Prize from the Yamaguchi Branch Chief of the Japan Crafts Association
1991 - Honorable Mention for his Aohagi plate at the Yamaguchi Fine Arts Exhibition
1999 - Yamaguchi Governor's Incentive Prize at the West Japan Ceramic Arts and Crafts Exhibition
2000 - Hagi City Cultural Incentive Prize
2003 - Incentive Prize at the West Japan Ceramic Arts and Crafts Exhibition for his Ryumon vase

Exhibitions

Noutomi Susumu has held many private exhibitions throughout Japan, including exhibitions at major department stores such as Mitsukoshi in Shinjuku and Nihonbashi, and Takashimaya in Nihonbashi. He also exhibited at the World Ceramic Expo 2001 in Korea.

He has received wide recognition for his Aohagi pieces and Yuragi series. In 2005, he was featured in a television program on the BS Asahi network. He has been a member of the Japan Arts and Crafts Association since 1995.

Noutomi Susumu in front of his noborigama climbing kiln.

Aohagi blue Hagi ware vase.

White Hagi chawan with glaze movement rising from the base.

His gallery.