From Aichi prefecture, Ono Hakuko was trained by her father initially in the ceramic arts. However, she was most strongly influenced by the great experimentative artist Kato Hajime (1901-1968) and his work with gold. This affected her own style deeply, and it can be said that she carried on his research. She was awarded the JCS award in 1980, one of Japan's most prestigious ceramics awards. In 1992 she was named an important cultural asset (Juyo mukei bunkazai) of Saga prefecture. Bucking the traditional image here is another of Japan's great cultural assets who fought against a system of prejudice to rise to the top and it is an honor to be able to offer something to her. For more on this important modern artist see Touch Fire, contemporary Japanese Ceramics by Women Artists (2009)