The Bear of Echizen

A "world of fire, a world all dark, totally red ..."

Welcome to the home page of Kumano Kurouemon, a unique wood-fire art potter who toils in isolation in the snow country on the "back side" of Japan.

Kumano's production is small and his pieces until fairly recently were rarely seen outside of Japan (see Writings links). However, a large solo exhibition was hosted by Germany's Keramikmuseum Westerwald in 2004-05, followed by a month-long workshop at Fachhochschule Koblenz in 2006, so at least some Europeans are getting to know the man and his work a little better.

This site is maintained by admirers of Kumano who believe his powerful works in clay stand out like volcanoes on the rim of the Japanese pottery tradition — distinctive, beautiful, challenging — and should be experienced by as many lovers of ceramics as possible worldwide.

New — Oil Paintings!

Kumano marked the arrival of 2009 by re-dedicating himself to the creative area of his youth — oil painting. He now has a painting studio alongside his pottery atelier and has already produced a number of large works, some of which can be seen on this site. Lovers of Kumano's works in clay will see some of the same power in these canvases.

Peter Ujlaki