Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan , The founder
1842-1916
He was born in Makuzugahara (today Higashiyama-ku) in Kyoto as Miyagawa Toranosuke. His father, Chozo, was also a potter and opened a kiln in Makuzugahara in 1851 and was given the artistic name 'Kozan' by a member of the imperial family at a later stage of his career. Kozan first studied painting but succeeded to the family kiln when his father died in 1860.
In 1871, he opened a ceramic studio in Yokohama where he initially produced Satsuma-style nishikide ceramics. His work were exhibited and won prizes at international exhibitions, including Vienna (1873), Philadelphia (1876) and Paris (1878). Around this period, he exceeded other cramic artists in his realistic representation. His style changed again in late 1880s and early 1890s, when he was deeply influenced by styles popular in Europe around this period.
He was appointed an Imperial Household Artist (Teishitsu gigeiin) in 1896.