1929年佐賀県有田町出身。
1945年十二代酒井田柿右衛門の元で働き始める。
1952年奥川忠右衛門門下生となり白磁や轆轤の技法を学ぶ。
1958年に酒井田柿右衛門窯を退社し、県立有田窯業試験場の技官として勤務。
1979年「現代の名工」として労働大臣表彰。
1983年ニューメキシコ州立大学美術学部にて美術指導のため19回渡米。
現在美術教育学部教授。
1987年日本伝統工芸展文部大臣賞受賞、作品買い上げ。
1995年日独文化交流のためにドイツにて個展（外務省 ドイツ美鬱博物館主催）。
重要無形文化財指定（人間国宝）。
1997年ブダペスト民族博物館（ハンガリー）にて個展。
国立近代美術館で作品買い上げ。
紫綬褒章受章。
1999年モナコにて「レニエ大公即位50周年記念」個展。
2003年旭日中綬章受章。
文化交流のため、ニューヨークなど世界各国で個展開催。
現在、日本工芸会参与、有田町名誉町民。

Born in Arita Town, Saga Pref.
in 1929 Began to work under 12th Sakaida Kakiemon in 1945.
Studied the Hakuji (white porcelain) and the technique of potter's wheel under Okugawa Chuemon in 1952.
Retire from Sakaida Kakiemon and began to work as technical officer in Saga Ceramics Research Laboratory in 1958.
Recognized as a Contemporary Master Craftsman by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare in 1979.
Travelled to the USA 19 times to conduct art lectures at the New Mexico State University Department of Art from 1983.
Currently a lecture in the Art Education Program.
Received the Minister of Education, Science and Culture Prize at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and his work was purchased by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 1987.
Solo exhibition in Germany for the Japan-Germany Cultural Exchange Exhibition (Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Germany Art Museum), and designated as an Important Intangible Cultural property (Living National Treasure) in 1995.
Solo exhibition at the Néprajzi Mùzeum in Hungary, and his work was purchased by the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo and received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1997.
Solo exhibition in Monaco "Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Prince Rainier's Accession" in 1999.
Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2003.
Held solo exhibitions for cultural exchange in many countries including New York etc.
At present: Councilor of Kōgei Association. Honorary Citizen of Arita-machi.

ONBEAT掲載号：vol.03