Kenkichi Tomimoto（富本憲吉）
1886 - 1963
Ceramic artist. Born to a landowner in Asu-mura, Nara Prefecture. Graduated from the architectural department of the Tokyo Fine Arts School. While still a student, he went to England to study in 1908 and was attracted to crafts. After returning to Japan in 1911, he formed a friendship with Bernard Leach, who was living in Japan, and served as his guide and interpreter when Leach was introduced to the 6th generation Ogata Kenzan. At the same time, he also published many creative prints and collections of designs. Tomimoto's ceramic art can be roughly divided into three periods: the Nara period (ceramics and white porcelain) in the Taisho era, the prewar Tokyo period (white porcelain and colored porcelain) in the Showa era, and the Kyoto period (ceramics, colored porcelain, and colored gold and silver porcelain) after the war and until his death. In addition, he was designated as a Living National Treasure in 1955 for his work in the field of porcelain in overglaze enamels, and was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit in 1975.