Artist: Hironobu Nishitateno
Hironobu Nishitateno, ILLINOIS
Artist’s Statement
My passion for making pottery springs from a desire to bring beauty and nature into daily life. I find inspiration everywhere I go, traveling with notebook in hand, sketching designs and shapes that can be incorporated into new works.
My style is based on the simplicity and functionality of Japanese pottery, using natural materials and colors typical in nature. It is my belief that pottery should not be the center of attention on the dinner table; it should be simple and attractive, while discreetly adding to the delicious appearance of the food. I strive to create pottery that resonates with me and brings out my inner peace. It is my hope that the natural simplicity of my pottery can bring the same peace to others.
The entire process of creating a work of art excites me. My favorite tools are my hands. I love feeling the subtleties of the clay, in which slight changes bring out the wonders and beauty of the material and make a great impact on the final piece. I strive to incorporate the characteristics of the clay, such as flecks of iron, so that they are not hidden but honored. The potter’s wheel inspires me to add textures like spirals where glaze can naturally pool during firing. The kiln brings about a surprise ending, as the fire is variant by nature and can lend unexpected character to the final piece.
My most exciting challenge in pottery is the precision required at every step to achieve an aura in the finished piece. I feel satisfaction when the character of the clay bursts forth with momentum while expressing my intention for the work, conveying a powerful emotion to onlookers.
About:
Raised in Saitama Prefecture, just north of Tokyo, Hironobu "Nishi" Nishitateno dreamed of being a professional artist since childhood. After graduating from Hosei University in 2002 with a degree in Economics, Nishi moved south to the island of Kyushu and entered a year-long intensive pottery course at Kagoshima Kogyo Gijutsu Center. There, he learned and perfected techniques on the potter's wheel, tamed the kilns, and experimented with his own glaze recipes.
Following his graduation from the school, Nishi moved back to the Tokyo area and began working for the late Eisaku Mitsuhashi, a potter well known for his bright red signature glaze. Nishi won the Arts Association Prize at the Funabashi City Annual Exhibition and was invited to exhibit his work at the All Japan Tea Bowl Exhibition.
In August of 2008, Nishi moved to Loves Park, Illinois in America, just 90 minutes west of Chicago by car.
Education:
Hosei University (economics) Tokyo Japan 1997-2002
Kagoshima Center for Industrial Arts (pottery) Kagoshima City Japan 2002-03
Experience:
Independent potter Nanten Pottery Loves Park, IL USA 8/2008-present
Independent potter Nishitateno Pottery Funabashi, Chiba Japan 3/2006-8/2008
Potter, teaching assistant Sandai Mitsuhashi Yogyo
Kamagaya, Chiba Japan 5/2003-8/2004
Potter, teaching assistant Mahoroba no Sato Amorigawa-yaki
Makizono, Kagoshima Japan 2002-03
Extensive travel throughout the world and U.S., all contributing to the pottery I
make today
Related Experience:
Variety of pottery tours and art fairs since immigrating to the U.S. including:
Harris, MN St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour
Cambridge, WI Clay Collective Pottery Tour
Minneapolis, MN Uptown Art Fair
Lake Forest, IL Art Fair on the Square
Louisville, KY St. James Court Art Fair
Indianapolis, IN Broad Ripple Art Fair
Madison, WI Art Fair on the Square
St. Joseph, MI Krasl Art Fair
Lexington, KY Woodland Art Fair
Geneva, IL Geneva Art Fair
Columbus, OH Columbus Art Fair
State College, PA Central Pennsylvania Art Fair
Participation in a variety of exhibitions and workshops in the U.S. including:
White Bear Center for the Arts White Bear Lake,
Akar Gallery: Yunomi Invitational Iowa City, IA
Art in Bloom Rockford, IL
Missouri Southern State University: workshop, exhibition Joplin, MO
Silverwood Park Plymouth, MN
8 th Annual International Texas Teapot Tournament Houston, TX
Coffee, Tea or…? Oak Park, IL
Tabletop Exhibit Alexandria, VA
Cup Show (Award: Honorable Mention) Las Vegas, NV
Drink This! Workhouse International Ceramic Cup Show Lorton, VA
1 st Annual Cup Show and Sale Manchester, NH
Sixth Annual Cup Show: Form and Function Panama City, FL
Japanese Festival and Art Exhibition Frankfort, IN
It’s Only Clay 2012 Bemidji, MN
East Coast Battle of the Bowls (Award: Runner Up) Lynchburg, VA
Rockford Midwestern Biennial 2012 Rockford, IL
Variety of solo and dual exhibitions while in Japan including:
Exhibition Ome, Tokyo, Japan
Exhibition Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Exhibition Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
Exhibition Funabashi, Chiba, Japan
Arts Association Prize, Funabashi City Annual Exhibition 2006
Invited to display one of my tea bowls at the All Japan Tea Bowl Exhibition
Awards:
Honorable Mention (2025 Greenwich Village Art Fair, Rockford, IL)
Best 3D Award Winner (2025 Geneva Art Fair, Geneva, IL)
Award of Excellence (2024 Art Fair on the Square, Lake Forest, IL)
Award Winner (2023 Midsummer Festival of Art, Sheboygan, WI)
Invitational Award (2018 Powderhorn Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN)
Judge’s Choice Award (2018 Greenwich Village Art Fair, Rockford, IL)
Merit Award (2017 Edina Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN)
UMB Excellence Award (2017 Laumeier Sculpture Park Art Fair, St. Louis, MO)
Ameren Award of Excellence (2016 Laumeier Sculpture Park Art Fair, St. Louis, MO)
Award of Merit (2015 Greenwich Village Art Fair, Rockford, IL)
First Place Ceramics (2015 Art Fair on the Square, Lake Forest, IL)
First Place (2014 Leeper Park Art Fair, South Bend, IN)
Award of Merit (2013 Art in Your Eye, Batavia, IL)
Top 10% in Show (2012 Uptown Art Fair, Minneapolis, MN)
Best in Show (2012 Art on the Lawn, Rockford, IL)
Second Place in Show (2012 East Coast Battle of the Bowls, Lynchburg, VA)
Best in Show (2011 Clayworkers Guild Members Show, Woodstock, IL)
Best 3-D Functional (2011 Greenwich Village Art Fair, Rockford, IL)
Second Place in Show (2011 Cantigny Art in Bloom, Wheaton, IL)
Second Place in Show (2011 Art on the Lawn, Rockford, IL)
Award of Excellence (2011 Cuneo Gardens Art Festival, Vernon Hills, IL)
Best Craftsmanship (2010 Clayworkers Guild Members Show, Woodstock, IL)