Genki Tobo - Murakami Brothers
The kiln was founded in 1976 by Teruhiko, the father of the two brothers currently running the business.
The eldest son, Toshihiko, started his pottery apprenticeship at the age of 18, specialising in the “Kacho Fugetsu” style (signifying flowers, birds, breeze and moon), but also in landscape and portrait painting.
The youngest, Kunihiko, began his pottery career at the age of 19, committing to extremely precise and detailed geometric patterns.
When Master Teruhiko passed in 2019, the two brothers took over the studio, producing fine artworks together by combining their respective specialities.
Starting from Saga prefecture in Western Japan all the way to the big metropolis of Tokyo in the East, Murakami’s vessels have been exhibited and loved all over Japan: in renowned art galleries and department stores, and even at the Kyushu National Museum.
Widening the national horizons, Dexem is currently on a mission to share Murakami’s masterpieces with the rest of the world.
7-Step Making Process
The dried pot is bevelled and bisque fired at a temperature of 910°C.
Next, the designs are painted with a cobalt-rich pigment known as gosu.
After drawing the meticulous patterns, the gosu pigment is distributed using a thick brush in order to create different hues.
Next, the pot is immersed in the glaze.
Pottery is then fired at 1250°C: the high temperature causes the development of vivid blue dyeing on the white ceramic.
Overglazed enamel is applied drawing red lines on the surface of the pots.
There are at least 5-6 different types of gosu or red overglazed enamel, and each is carefully blended and studied to produce unique colours.
Finally, the work is fired at 800°C.