Urano Shigekichi (1881-1923) [Kenzan 6th Generation]

Urano Shigekichi (Kenzan 6th) (see lot 74) was Bernard's teacher from 1911 in Japan, when he decided to take up pottery as a career. Urano built two kilns for him, one at Bernard's Awa house and, when that burned down, another on Yanagi Soetsu's land in Abiko about 40 kilometers North-East of Tokyo.

When Urano died he left the title and associated papers with glazes etc to Bernard, who thus became Kenzan 7th. Eventually having recognised that he had no intention of working in the Kenzan style and tradition, he returned the title and papers to Japan.