Toshirou Ohi (1927–2023) was a contemporary ceramic artist born in Kanazawa, who later took the name Ohi Chōzaemon X and, in his later years, adopted the artist name Ohi Tōyasai. He studied metal casting rather than ceramics at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, and a key feature of his work was the way he applied this sense of form to his pottery. Whilst upholding the tradition of Ōhi-yaki’s amber glaze in tea ware, he expanded his scope to include vases, jars and ceramic wall panels, producing modern and powerful works that transcended the confines of traditional craftsmanship. He received the Japan Art Academy Prize in 1985, became a member of the Japan Art Academy in 1999, was designated a Person of Cultural Merit in 2004, and was awarded the Order of Culture in 2011.

Toshio Ohi’s works combine the warmth of clay with a sculptural vigour. In his amber-glazed pieces in particular, the deep brown glaze surface subtly shifts its appearance when caught by the light, conveying a dignified grace amidst their rustic simplicity. Conversely, his contemporary vases and sculptural works feature bold planes and lines, creating a fresh sense of tension distinct from traditional Ohi-yaki. To me, he appears to be an artist who did not merely aim to preserve ancient techniques, but who spent his entire life asking, ‘What can be achieved with Ōhi-yaki?’ I believe the unique charm of Toshio Ōhi’s work lies in the natural fusion of tradition and contemporary form.