Mihara Ken was born in Shimane Prefecture in 1958 and apprenticed under Funaki Kenji from the age of 23, an experience that deeply shaped his approach to form, surface, and firing. Influenced by the quiet landscapes and ancient cultural layers of the Izumo region, Mihara has developed a sculptural ceramic language characterized by restrained forms, iron-rich clay, and subtle, nuanced surfaces produced through repeated high-temperature firings.
His work often balances weight and stillness, drawing on archetypal vessels and tea forms while moving decisively into the sculptural realm. Rather than overt decoration, Mihara allows firing effects, ash interaction, and clay texture to define each piece, resulting in works that convey both physical presence and meditative calm.
Mihara has been exhibited and awarded at many of Japan’s most prestigious exhibitions, including the Nihon Togei Ten (All Japan Ceramic Exhibition), the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, the Nihon Dento Kogei Ten (National Traditional Crafts Exhibition), and the Tanabe Museum Chanoyu no Zokei Ten (Modern Tea Forms Sculpture Exhibition). His work has been shown extensively in Europe and the United States, establishing his international reputation.
His pieces are held in numerous public and private collections, including the Tanabe Museum of Art and the New Orleans Museum of Art, among others. Today, Mihara Ken is regarded as a leading figure in contemporary Japanese ceramics, whose work bridges traditional sensibilities and modern sculptural expression with quiet authority.
An EXHIBITION that also displayed his works "Shoka" Digital Catalog
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