Hiroyuki Wakimoto was born in 1952 in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture in Kyushu. He received art training studying textile design in Osaka Art College. In his senior year, realizing that his interests were not in textiles, he left the college and went back to his hometown. During a visit to a friend who was doing an apprenticeship with a ceramist in Bizen, Wakimoto found his true calling. He was so inspired by Bizen-yaki that, at the age of 30, he began an apprenticeship under accomplished ceramist Joji Yamashita. Nine years later, in 1990, Wakimoto built his own nobori-gama (climbing kiln) and established his studio in Bizen.

As one of the six oldest Japanese pottery centers in Japan, Bizen has produced many exceptional ceramists, including a number of National Living Treasures. There is an enormous legacy for Bizen ceramists to live up to. Realizing that he must make up for his relatively late start in ceramics, Wakimoto concentrates on developing a personal style. His fascination with form compels him to create some of the most interesting works in contemporary Japanese ceramics. His pieces are instantly recognizable by the bold, meticulously conceived forms with clean strong lines and beautiful distinctive fire markings.

Wakimoto’s extraordinary wood-fired ceramic works were first shown outside Japan in his American debut in 2002 at Touching Stone Gallery. In that show, Wakimoto introduced two dozen original pieces inspired by ancient Chinese bronze and ceramics. The show was enthusiastically received, and it firmly established Wakimoto as one of the rising stars among contemporary Bizen ceramists.

Many of the pieces in this show are sculpted from chunks of clay rather than thrown on a potter’s wheel. The former technique, called "kurinuki", offers great freedom and flexibility for creating unique shapes. Reflecting on the evolution of his style, Wakimoto recalled, "In the beginning, I cared too much about making my work unique, and my hands struggled with the clay. Then one day, I just set my hands free to express my honest feelings without thinking too much about it. From that day, I felt relaxed and my work became spontaneous".

Producing such a wide range of forms and effects requires not only creativity, but also intimate knowledge of the kiln. As an essential step in his creative process, Wakimoto keeps a record of new ideas as well as details of each firing, including data on temperature and exact position of each piece in the kiln. This methodical approach frees the artist from haphazard guesswork, allowing him to focus on turning abstract visions into tangible forms.

Despite his soaring reputation, Wakimoto keeps his sense of humility. In a recent interview, the artist mused, "As an outsider who arrived at Bizen almost by chance, I was taught everything about Bizen-yaki that had taken hundreds of years to develop. I hope someday I can contribute my share of knowledge to the continuous evolution of Bizen-yaki as a way of repaying the generosity of my adopted home-town". The refreshing boldness and uncompromising quality of Wakimoto’s work is already making an impact in the Japanese ceramic circle, ushering a new era of creative energy in this ancient pottery center of Bizen.

1952     Born in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Kyushu

1975     Osaka Art College

1981     Apprenticeship under Bizen ceramist Joji Yamashita

1990     Established own kiln in Bizen

            Honorable Mention, 52nd Itt-sui Kai Ten

1991     8th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            2nd Biennial Ceramic Exhibition

            38th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

            1st Yaki-shime Ten

            Honorable Mention, 53rd Itt-sui Kai Ten

1992     9th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            30th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

            39th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

            54th Itt-sui Kai Ten

1993     Honorable Mention, 3rd Biennial Ceramic Exhibition

            31st Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

            36th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition, China Branch

            Asahi Contemporary Arts & Crafts Invitational Exhibition

1994     11th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            Grand Prize, 2nd Yaki Shime Juried Show

            Chairman’s Award, Japan Arts & Crafts Exhibition, Chu-goku Chapter

1995     12th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            13th Japan Ceramics Exhibition

            42th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

1996     13th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            34th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

1997     14th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

            35th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

            44th Japan Traditional Arts & Crafts Exhibition

            Nominated as a permanent member of Japan Arts & Crafts Association

1998     15th Cha-no-yu no Zo-kei Ten, Tanabe Museum

1999     37th Asahi Ceramics Exhibition

2000     3 - 4 shows every year in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe

2002     Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2003     Kuroda Toen Gallery, Tokyo

            Tenmaya, Takamatsu

            Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

2004     Kuroda Toen Gallery, Tokyo

            Tenmaya, Fukuoka

            Touching Stone Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico

            Invited artist, Santa Fe International Folk Art Market 2004