First Generation Suwa Sozan / 初代 諏訪蘇山
1852 (Kaei 5) – 1922 (Taisho 11)
A prominent Kyoto potter of the Meiji and Taisho periods.
Born in Kanazawa, he studied ceramic painting in Tokyo under Asahiyama of Saiunrō, then returned to work at the Kutani Pottery Company. He later became an assistant instructor in sculpture at the Ishikawa Prefectural Technical School and created figurative works in Kutani ware.
In 1900 (Meiji 33), he was invited to work at the Kinkōzan Ceramics Studio in Kyoto. In 1907, he established his own kiln in Gojōzaka, where he perfected celadon ware praised as Sozan Seiji. Appointed as an Imperial Household Artist in 1917.