Naoki Takada is a contemporary potter born in 1974 in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. He trained under Hiroshi Ōtsu, a leading potter of Kasama ware. In 2014, he completed his studies at the Aichi Prefectural College of Ceramics.

Takada san is a leading Bonzan ceramicist. Bonzan ceramics are mountains landscapes displayed on a tray or pedestal. This style began in the Muromachi period (1336-1573) and is said to be the root of bonsai and suiseki.

Since ancient times, the Japanese have had a sensibility of worshiping nature and admiring the great outdoors, especially mountains. Bonzan is a mountainous landscape displayed on a tray. Takada san’s ceramics mimic and imitate Japanese landscapes of mountains and glaciers in miniature form. His work is about capturing the sublime beauty of mountains and expressing reverence and gratitude for nature.


Selected Exhibitions
2022 Sake Cup Exhibition, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo, Japan
2022 Expressions in Clay, The Ren Brown Collection, California, US
2022 The Contemporary Artist' Tea Bowl Special, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, Tokyo, Japan
2021 Solo Exhibition ‘Clay Returns to the Mountains and Rivers’, Shina Ginza, Tokyo, Japan
2021 Shangri-la, Kunsforum Solothurn, Solothurn, Switzerland
2020 Solo Exhibition ‘Glacier View’, Ashiyagaro Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
2018 The 16th Annual Conference of the Japanese Society for Mountain Culture, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
2018 The 5th Bonkei Exhibition, Hibiya Park Exhibition Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2017 Kobe Art Marche 2017, Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel, Hyogo, Japan
2014 The 43rd Choza Prize Tokomame Ceramics Exhibition, INAX Live Museum, Nagoya Dome, Aichi, Japan
2004 The 18th Yuzawaya Creation Grand Prize Exhibition, Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan, Tokyo, Japan
2002 The 44th Chino City Art Exhibition, Chino City Culture Center, Nagano, Japan
2001 National Public Offering Ceramic Foundation Exhibition, Kurita Museum of Art, Tochigi, Japan


Awards & Prizes
2017 Kobe Art Marche 2017, Selected for ‘Artist meets Gallery’, Hyogo, Japan
2014 The 43rd Choza Prize Tokomame Ceramics Exhibition, Choza Prize, Aichi, Japan
2004 The 18th Yuzawaya Creative Award Exhibition, Gold Prize, Tokyo, Japan