Fujiwara Kei — Bizen Tea Caddy

Outline
Born in 1958 in Honami, Bizen City, as the eldest son of FUJIWARA Yu, a Living National Treasure in Bizen ware. After graduating from Musashino Art University, he returned to his hometown. He began pottery making, studying under his grandfather, Kei, and father, Yu, both Living National Treasures. In 1990, he fired his first kiln, and since his first solo exhibition at Okayama Tenmaya in 1991, he has held annual solo exhibitions at department stores and galleries nationwide, including Nihonbashi Takashimaya, as well as internationally. Concurrently, he has produced commemorative exhibitions for his grandfather and father. In recent years, he has been exploring the concept of "Japanese form," encompassing "Japanese culture" and "wa" (harmony) that Japanese people have cultivated, through various activities beyond just pottery.

Biography
1958 Born in Honami, Bizen City, as the eldest son of FUJIWARA Yu. Grandfather is FUJIWARA Kei.
1990 First kiln firing
1991 First solo exhibition (Okayama Tenmaya)
Subsequently, held solo exhibitions in various locations, primarily at Tenmaya and Takashimaya.
Chabikai "Zen" at Harajuku Quest Hall
1993 "So" at Aoyama Spiral
1992 Selected for the 35th Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition Chugoku Regional Exhibition (and for 10 consecutive years thereafter)
1994 "Bizen Fujiwara Three Generations Exhibition" (sponsored by Asahi Shimbun / Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, Osaka Takashimaya)
Okayama City Mayor's Award at the 45th Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition (also in '96)
1995 Selected for the 42nd Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition (also in '96, '97, '12)
1996 21st Century Culture Conference "Playing with Japan - The Future if You Turn Around" Exhibition (Nihonbashi Takashimaya / Tokyo)
1997 "Cordes de feu Mille ans de ceramique japonaise, a Bizen" Exhibition (National Ceramics Museum / Sèvres)
Relief "Hinideru Anabuki" (Anabuki Living Environment Design Research Institute / Kagawa)
1999 "Japanese Pottery: The Rising Generation From Traditional Japanese Kilns" Exhibition (sponsored by The Japan Foundation / toured overseas)
2003 50th Anniversary of Korea-Japan Cultural Exchange "Contemporary Korea-Japan Ceramic Exhibition" (Seoul, Korea)
"Journey of Earth, Korea-Japan Ceramic Exhibition" (Mokpo, Korea)
2005 Relief "Zenbi" (ANA Hotel Okayama)
2006 Commemorative Exhibition for Australia-Japan Exchange Year Government Certified Project (Sydney)
2008 "Fujiwara Kei and Yu Father and Son Exhibition" (Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art)
2009 Lecture on Japanese Culture at Leiden University, Netherlands (Nederland / Part-time lecturer)
Lecture at Japan Cultural Institute in Paris, France (Paris)
2010 Setouchi Triennale 2010 "Inujima Noyaki Pottery" organizer
Also, 2013, 2016, 2019 "Inujima Raku-cha"
2011 "Bizen ware now - The Trajectory of Fujiwara Bizen" Exhibition (Japan Cultural Institute in Paris / Paris)
2012 Monument "Rinzen to" - For people who live life and people who make life shine - (Okayama City Sakakibara Heart Institute Hospital)
2013 Setouchi Triennale 2013 "Inujima Raku-cha" (Inujima)
Supervised JR West campaign "Ekikara x Bizen ware" (Okayama Station, Hotel Granvia, etc.)
2014 Official Supporter of the Japan Pavilion at Milan Expo (MILANO)
2016 "Experience the 'Beauty of Use' in Bizen ware" - Lecture and solo exhibition on "Bizen in Japanese Lifestyles" by Bizen ware potter FUJIWARA Kazu (co-hosted by the Consular Office of Japan in Lyon and the Musée des Confluences / Lyon)
2017 Monument "Tsubo-no-ya Fujiwara" (Kurozumi-kyo Shinto-zan Reien-den / Okayama)
2020 Relocation and supervision of the relief "Shimin no Me" (Bizen City Hall)
2024 Certified as a holder of Bizen City Intangible Cultural Property

Affiliations
⚪︎ Japan Crafts Council (regular member) ⚪︎ Japan Crafts Council Chugoku Branch
⚪︎ Bizen Pottery Association ⚪︎ Japan Academy
⚪︎ Visiting Lecturer, Leiden University, Netherlands

Awards and Selections
⚪︎ Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Exhibition - Excellent Work Award
⚪︎ Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition - Encouragement Award, Prefectural Citizen's Award, Mayor's Award
⚪︎ Tanabe Museum Chanoyu no Zokei Exhibition ⚪︎ Yakishime Pottery Exhibition
⚪︎ Nissin Menbachi Grand Prize
⚪︎ Japan Academy - Distinguished Service Award ⚪︎ Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Encouragement Award