Itaya Hazan: A Pioneer of Modern Japanese Ceramics Itaya Kashichi Itaya Hazan (板谷波山, 1872—1963) stands as a monumental figure in the history of Japanese ceramics, recognized universally as a trailblazer who fundamentally reshaped artistic expression during the Meiji and Taisho eras. Born in Shimodate, Ibaraki Prefecture, he descended from humble origins – his father was a soya sauce maker – yet ascended to become one of Japan’s most celebrated artists, leaving an indelible mark on both craft and aesthetic philosophy. His artistic pseudonym, Hazan (“wavy mountain”), derived from the landscape…