Nakagawa Jinenbo (1953–2011), born Kenichi in the coastal village of Ariura, Saga Prefecture, grew up in hardship under a single mother. After a brief stint in a pharmaceutical company, he pursued pottery, apprenticing in 1977 under Inoue Toya and later Tanaka Sajiro. By 1982, he built his own split-bamboo climbing kiln and began working independently, developing a distinctive hake-me style with iron-rich red clay and thick white slip. His first solo exhibition in 1985, hosted by Kuroda Sōshin, marked the start of a celebrated career.
By the early 1990s, Nakagawa had established a full studio complex with a home-gallery, workshop, and dormitory for apprentices. In 2000, he began reviving Oku-Korai ware, refining his focus on tea ceramics and subtle form. His work gained national recognition through exhibitions, NHK features, and solo shows across Japan, culminating in his 20th exhibition at Shibuya Kuroda Tōen in 2006.
Even in illness, Nakagawa remained active, producing monumental works for his 30th anniversary in 2011 and completing an ambitious new hybrid kiln with his apprentices. He passed away in December 2011 at 58, leaving a legacy defined by perseverance, mastery of fire, and the transformative power of clay.
