b 1958, Kyoto

Kondo Takahiro is a leading contemporary Japanese ceramic artist known for reimagining traditional porcelain through innovative forms and surface treatments. Born in Kyoto into the distinguished Kondo family of potters, he is the grandson of Kondo Yuzo, who was designated a Living National Treasure for his mastery of sometsuke (underglaze blue) porcelain. 

After studying at Kyoto City University of Arts and training in both Japan and abroad, Takahiro developed an artistic practice that bridges centuries-old ceramic traditions with contemporary sculptural expression. While deeply rooted in the technical excellence of Kyoto porcelain, his work departs from conventional vessel forms to explore themes of nature, transformation, and the passage of time.

One of Kondo’s most recognizable innovations is his use of ginteki, or “silver mist,” a technique in which a mixture of finely ground silver, gold, and platinum is sprayed on before firing,  creating shimmering droplets across the surface of porcelain forms. These luminous textures evoke dew and other natural phenomena, transforming ceramic objects into poetic reflections. 

His works range from functional vessels to large-scale sculptural installations and have been exhibited internationally in major museums and galleries. Through his inventive approach to material, form, and surface, Kondo Takahiro has become one of the most influential figures in contemporary Japanese ceramics, expanding the possibilities of porcelain while maintaining a strong connection to its rich cultural heritage.