Born in Shigaraki in 1976, Kazuya Furutani represents the second generation of one of Japan's most important contemporary ceramic families. Following studies at Shigaraki High School's Design Department, Yamaguchi College of Arts and the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Technical Institute, he apprenticed under his father, the late Michio Furutani, before establishing his own anagama kiln in 2002.

Whilst the influence of his father is unmistakable, Kazuya has developed a language that is entirely his own. His work possesses the expressive power and confidence for which the Furutani family is renowned, yet it is distinguished by a freshness that feels thoroughly contemporary. Rich natural ash deposits, luminous biidoro, glowing hiiro and beautifully judged forms combine to create ceramics that are unmistakably Shigaraki whilst remaining deeply personal.

Over the past two decades he has exhibited extensively throughout Japan, receiving repeated selections for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (Kinki Region), alongside regular solo exhibitions at many of Japan's leading galleries. His work is increasingly regarded as one of the defining contemporary voices working in Shigaraki today.

For us, Kazuya Furutani represents something rather special. He honours one of the great ceramic lineages of modern Japan whilst quietly demonstrating that tradition is never static; it is something to absorb, understand and ultimately move forward.