The Marks Project - A Marks Dictionary of American Studio Pottery, 1946 to Present

Harry Nakamoto

EDUCATION

—BA Molecular Biology, San Jose State University, San Jose, California

1978 MA Ceramic Art, San Jose State University, San Jose, California

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

—United States Air Force

—Assistant Professor, California State University Stanislaus, Turlock, California

—Adjunct Professor, Columbia Community College, Sonora, California

BIOGRAPHY 

 Nakamoto produced a line of functional work often focused on the bowl form and glazes he developed.  His interest in the process as well as the product led him to participate in wood firings in Elkton, OR. In 2002 he built an Anagama kiln at his studio. In addition to wood firing he used raku firing techniques. 

Harry Nakamoto spent 22 years on active duty in the US Air Force and came to clay later in his life. He studied with James Lovera while working on his MA at San Jose State University. His interest in the bowl form and glaze chemistry is thought to be a result of his study with Lovera.

He credits his wife, Florence, as his partner and best critic in the creative process.

Bibliography

Ceramics Monthly 49, no. 3 (March 2001).

Salamoni, Amedeo. Wood-Fired Ceramics: 100 Contemporary Artists. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013.

 

 

Website: www.harrynakamoto.wordpress.com

 

 

Center for CraftSouthern Highland Craft Guild

 

Typical Marks
2012
Wood-fired Vase
Date: 2012
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection
Vase
Date: 2012
Materials: Stoneware
Method: Thrown
Surface Technique: Glaze
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection
The Forrest L. Merrill Collection

Citation: "The Marks Project." Last modified September 12, 2025. http://www.themarksproject.org:443/print/marks/nakamoto

 

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