Fujiwara Yū (1932-2001) was born in Bizen, Okayama Prefecture, the location of one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns (六古窯). His father, Fujiwara Kei, was also a Bizen potter, and had been named a Japanese National Living Treasure in 1970. Fujiwara Yū himself would receive the same honor in 1996. He was blind in his left eye, and the vision of his right eye was greatly impaired, so while making pottery he relied heavily on his sense of touch. Perhaps because of this, his pottery is known for feeling warm, gentle and sturdy in the hands. This shape of teabowl is known as a natsujawan (夏茶碗), or "summer teabowl."

Inoue Manji, born in Arita, Saga Prefecture in 1929, was named a Japanese National Living Treasure in 1995. He studied under the master potters, Sakaida Kakiemon XII and Okugawa Chūemon. He is known for his simple and graceful hakuji (white porcelain) designs. Inoue's pieces are typically either pure white or feature incised botanical motifs in muted colors.

Yamamoto Tōshū (1906-1994) was born in Bizen, Okayama Province. He became an apprentice potter when he was just fifteen years old. Within a decade, Yamamoto had become well-known for his skill in making vases. After winning multiple regional and national prizes for his work, Yamamoto began to travel the world to learn new pottery techniques. His particular specialty was in making vessels for the Japanese tea ceremony. He was named a Japanese National Living Treasure in 1987. Hidasuki (緋襷), or "red cord," is the application of strands of rice straw to unfired pots. During the firing process, the areas in contact with the straw turn various shades of red or crimson, depending on each potter's individual technique.

Fujimoto Yoshimichi (1919-1992), a native of Tokyo, was an accomplished painter as well as a master ceramicist. He painted primarily birds and flowers, and combined both Japanese traditional painting styles with Western techniques. His painting merged seamlessly with his pottery. He is renowned for his creation of a special glaze for overglaze enamel porcelain (iroe-jiki) that preserved the painterly effect of the decoration beneath the glaze. The effects of the glaze can be seen in this yunomi--the painted flowers have a delicate transparency that evokes traditional ink painting. Fujimoto was named a Japanese National Living Treasure in 1986.