Being born into a traditional Japanese artistic family means inheriting more than just a craft—it includes a family name, artistic style, tools, property, clientele, and a deep-rooted legacy. While this heritage offers valuable resources and prestige, it also carries significant responsibility. The Takatori lineage dates back over 400 years and began when Korean potter Hachizō was brought to Japan by warlord Kuroda Nagamasa to produce ceramics for the powerful Kuroda domain. Through generations, the Takatori potters weathered political turmoil and shifts in patronage, evolving to meet the aesthetic demands of the tea ceremony elite. 

In the 20th century, Miraku Kamei XIII emerged as the leader in preserving and modernizing Takatori ware, a mission carried forward by his grandson, Miraku XIV. Today, Miraku Kamei XV continues to balance tradition with innovation amid economic and urban change. His son, Hisaaki Kamei, brings fresh techniques and glazes, helping guide the family’s “urban pottery studio,” which honors the history, identity, and accomplishments of the past while ensuring the continuity of the family into the future.

• Written by Dr. Andrew L. Maske, Professor of Japanese History and Visual Culture, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Accompanied by a History of Takatori Miraku Kiln by Miraku Kamei XV and an Afterword by Bernard H. Pucker

• Distributed by Syracuse University Press

• 8.5 x 11" hardcover book

• 125 color illustrations of work from the 1600s to today

• $50 + $10 domestic shipping

• A bilingual volume in both English and Japanese