Makoto Yamaguchi was born in Seto (mid-western Japan) in 1978. Yamaguchi is the sixth-generation potter as his ancestor started his kiln in the 19th century. After traveling to East Asia and Europe, he launched his kiln in 2004. He has created Oribe, Shino and Seto wares, and has held a number of exhibitions at top art galleries in Japan. He won prizes at the Tokai Traditional Ceramic Art Award (2007), the Japan Traditional Ceramic Art Award (2007), the Seto City Art Award (2007), the Asahi Ceramic Art Award (2008), and the Seto City Art Award’s Mayor Award (2008). Yamaguchi particularly explores Oribe and Shino wares, which have a history of about 400 years. He has a reputation for his elegant Shino bowls and decorative Oribe bowls and flower vases. He is regarded as one of the most prospective mid-career ceramic artists in Japan. Oribe ware was developed in the 16th century as tea ceremony ware, such as tea bowls, flower vases and water jugs. Unlike the previously popular tea ceremony ware, which was characterized by simplicity, rusticity and naturalness in the early 16th century, Oribe ware was rather decorative, ornamental and novel in design. Shino ware was developed in the 16th century in the mid-Japan region, which was a center of Japan’s ceramic art industry then. It is made of local clays and feldspathic glazes. The range of products includes tea bowls, water jugs, bowls and dishes. White Shino, which has painted patterns or designs on it, is particularly popular.