Eiraku Hozon (1795–1854) was a leading potter of Kyoto ware in the late Edo period and the eleventh-generation Zengorō, who served as the master of earthenware braziers and pottery within the Senke Jūshoku. He was adopted by the tenth-generation Ryōzen and developed his pottery whilst remaining deeply involved in the world of the tea ceremony. In 1827, he became involved in the production of ‘Onite-yaki’ and ‘Kairakuen-yaki’ for the Kishū Tokugawa family, and was granted the Eiraku silver seal. He skilfully incorporated a wide range of techniques, including Jiaozi, Shōzui, Sometsuke, Akae and Kinrande, and was instrumental in significantly expanding the family business—which had previously centred on earthenware braziers—into the world of elegant tea ceramics.

In Hozon’s works, one senses an exquisite balance between the elegance characteristic of Kyoto ware and the restraint befitting tea ceremony utensils. Even in works featuring vivid coloured glazes or gold decoration, the ornamentation is never excessive; a world of refinement is condensed within small tea bowls and incense boxes. In particular, his works in the Jiaozi and Kinrande styles demonstrate a skilful ability to adapt designs learned from foreign ceramics to a Kyoto aesthetic, revealing Hozon’s unique sensibility that transcends mere ‘imitation’.

Eiraku Hozon stands out as an innovative master craftsman who elevated the Eiraku family’s pottery to a higher level. With a deep understanding of the classics, he transformed them into a splendour that shines in the tea ceremony setting. It is perhaps this refined sensibility that is the primary reason why Hozon’s works continue to be so highly regarded to this day.