In 2014, Imaizumi Imaemon XIV received the ultimate distinction as the youngest artist in Japan to be designated a Living National Treasure at the age of 51. Iro-Nabeshima, a polychrome, enamel painted porcelain, was developed during the Edo period (1615–1868) under the support of the Nabeshima domain in current-day Saga prefecture. Highly praised for the meticulous enamel designs with both Asian and Western motifs, Nabeshima ware has been one of the most celebrated porcelains in Japan and abroad. Imaizumi Imaemon became the 14th-generation head of this lineage after studying traditional metalwork in college and working in the product design industry. Among the artist’s signature techniques are sumi-hajiki, a dyeing process that takes advantage of the repellent nature of sumi ink by creating patterns on white porcelain prior to firing. Imaizumi’s personality emerges in the combination of both classical and modern motifs. In 2009, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Emperor of Japan.
Selected Exhibitions
2025 Asia Week New York, US
- 2024 Japan Traditional Kogei Annual Exhibition, Japan
- 2024 The Ceraic Art Society of Japan Annual Exibition, Japan
- 2024 Living National Treasure Annual Exhibition, Japan
2015 Contemporary Living National Treasures, Onishi Gallery, New York
2014 Japan from Prehistory to the Present, Japanese Galleries The British Museum Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, Embassy of Japan, Washington D.C.
Selected Awards
2012 The Japan Ceramic Society Award
2009 The Medal with Purple Ribbon from the Government of Japan
2004 The Governor of Tokyo at the 51st Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition Prize
2002 The Issuikai Award at the Issuikai Ceramics Exhibition
1998 The Japan Kogei Association Chairman Award at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
The Bank of Saga Cultural Foundation New Artist Award
The Incentive Award at the Saga Shimbun Cultural Awards
1997 The Kagoshima Broadcasting Station (KKB) Award at the 32th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
1996 The Governor Award at the Saga Prefectural Art Exhibition
Selected Public Collections
The British Museum | London, United Kingdom
The Kyushu Ceramic Museum | Saga, Japan
The National Museum of Modern Art | Tokyo, Japan
The Museum of Ceramic Art | Hyogo, Japan
The Auckland Museum | Auckland, New Zealand