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.

Oil Paintings

In 2010, Kumano divides his time between pottery making and oil painting. 

His canvases are growing larger, and continue to be dominated by fire-red pigment, laid on with the same power and force so evident in his pots. The painting urge, the creative area of his youth, is perhaps enhanced this year by the fact that son Umi has recently been chosen as one of the dozen most promising young painters in all Japan. (The father and son painting studios are only meters apart.) 

Please go to the Sales Gallery-Oil Paintings page to see examples of Kumano's work in oils.

Peter Ujlaki