Kanjiro (1890-1966) was one of the most important of the modern ceramic artists.

He was a long time friend of Hamada Shoji and Bernard Leach and co-founded the Mingei Movement with Yanagi Soetsu. He worked within the folk tradition of Japanese and Korean pottery. His vessels come in many asymmetrical shapes and show expressionist techniques. The forms of his later pieces became more sculptural.

Kawai was a master of glaze technique and developed new decorative styles in the 1960’s. He often decorated his works with bold, semi-abstract flower motifs, either in relief or painted freely in under-glaze cobalt blue, iron brown and copper red.

Unlike his contemporaries Kawai refused all official honors and did not travel to the West.

His works are displayed in all major museums worldwide and he is featured in many books and other publications.