Ichino Masahiko was born in Hyogo prefecture, where Tamba pottery is created (one of the six ancient kilns of Japan), and he today makes modern and innovative creations within the historic Tamba tradition. He originally studied at Kyoto Saga University of Arts, going on to apprentice with Kyoto-based ceramicist Imai Masayuki, before returning to his family kiln in Tachikui, Hyogo. In 1995, he became the youngest artist to receive the grand prize at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, for a piece named ‘Kai’ which employed his distinctive contrasting black and orange colours combined with technique of etching fine designs into the body.