Ishiguro Munemaro 石黒 宗麿 1893-1968

Born in Niihama, Toyama Prefecture, Japan

ISHIGURO MUNEMARO was surrounded as a child by his father's (an amateur potter) collection of antique ceramics. Upon returning from military service in Korea in 1916, Ishiguro began the study of Chinese ceramics and language. After several moves in Tokyo, he settled in Kyoto in 1927 and opened his kiln in the city's ceramic center, Imakumano, where he befriended the important potter and scholar of Chinese material, Koyama Fujio (1900-1975).

Ishiguro also became a noted collector and scholar of Chinese Han and Song dynasty ceramics, notably perfecting the difficult technique of the persimmon tenmoku glaze for which he was designated in 1952 as an Intangible Cultural Property. Ishiguro's non-traditional work, marked by powerful potting and bold, vigorous designs, combined with his genius in traditional aesthetics, earned him the designation of Living National Treasure in 1955.