Mitsui Eiichi (三ッ井 詠一) is born in 1935 in Niihama (Ehime Prefecture) in a family of potters. His father and grand father were both great potters.
In 1959 he graduated from Kanazawa Arts and Crafts University with a degree in ceramic. He had great teachers, first he learned by assisting Kitade Tojiro (北出 塔次郎), then he continued by learning from Asakura Isokichi (浅蔵 五十吉).
In 1960, he entered for the first time the Modern Art Exhibition and in 1961, he succeeded in the Tamekichi family and took the name of Tamekichi 3rd (為吉).
In 1967 he entered for the first time Japanese Modern Arts and Crafts Exhibition and Nitten Exhibition. He is quite famous today, he is keeping the old Kutani style with a very beautiful modern touch which gives a great feeling.
In 1971 he received an award from Minister of Labour
In 1979 became a member of the Association of the Japan Modern Artistic Craftsmen.
In 1987 he received the Prime Minister's Award.
At present, Tamekichi studies and tries to create a new style of colored ceramic, adapted to the traditional charm of the Kutani wares.He is holding private exhibitions in various Department stores in Tokyo.
昭和34年金沢美術工芸大学卒業、北出塔次郎先生に師事、
昭和35年 浅蔵五十吉先生に師事、
昭和39年朝日陶芸展入選昭
和42年日展入選、
昭和47年ＮＨＫテレビ出演、九谷に生きる
昭和48年日展入選、
昭和51年三笠宮寛仁親王殿下御来訪早春献上
1962
He presented his work, Takenozu Kazarizara (Plate), to US Ambassador Edwin O.
Reischauer.
1976
His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito of Mikasa visited his place and bought
his work, "Soushun".
1979
Prime Minister Ohira, 1982 Prime Minister Suzuki, 1984 Prime Minister Nakasone
appointed him to make sake cups as presents for the visit to China.
1980 Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi visited him and bought
his work, "Ichimatu Monyou Toubako"(pottery box).
1988
Indian Ambassador to Japan visited his craft center. He presented him his work
"Kusabana Monyo Hanasashi"(flower vase).
1993
His Imperial Highness Prince Mikasa visited his place. He presented him his
work "Sarasa-mon Hanasashi"(flower vase).
1994
He gave a lecture about Kutani pottery at Rochester Institute of Technology.
1997
He took up the post of Gallaudet University's guest professor.
Held a one-man exhibition at KCC in Washington, D.C.
Since 1977, he held private exhibitions at various places in Japan. Such as at the gallaries in famous department stores (Takashimaya, Mitsukoshi, Daimaru, Isetan, etc.) in Kanazawa, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe, Sapporo, Hakata.