Akihiro FURUGAKI (b. 1974) is a cermatic artist and was born in Kagoshima Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu, the southwestern part of Japan. FURUGAKI majored in Japanese painting at University and studied Suibokuga (ink and wash painting) and Kyoto-Etsuke (Kyoto style painting on pottery). He opened his own pottery kiln “Kaichi Kama” in Kyoto in 2006, and later on moved back to Kagoshima prefecture where he feels at home.
He is one of the few artists in the world who painted in precise detail using a delicate technique – “Yuri Kingsinsai” Technique which is an original Japanese craft technique created at the start of the 20th century. Its ability to stop silver leaf from turning black is its most fascinating characteristic. He has further developed “Yuri Kinginsai” technique of his own to create a much more delicate work of art. His main works are satsuma porcelains called white satsuma (shiro satuma) as well as blue satsuma (ao satsuma).
One glance of his work and the viewer will be drawn into the world of porcelains no one has ever seen. He has held several private exhibitions in Tokyo, Kyoto and Kagoshima. His works have been highly valued for their beautiful and delicate style from home and overseas customers. His talent is also recognized with numerous awards and achievements in Japan, and is highly acclaimed not only in the world of porcelains of Japan but internationally as well.
古垣彰拡生於1974年，是一位日本陶瓷藝術家。古垣在大學主修日本油畫，並學習水墨畫和「京都繪付」。 2006年，他在京都開設了自己的陶藝器工房「嘉一窯」，後來又回歸他的出生地鹿兒島縣。
古垣彰拡的創作運用了「釉裏金銀彩」技術，其因世界只有為數不多的藝術家掌握而被稱爲夢幻技法。該技術是日本20世紀初創造的一種特有工藝技術。銀金箔永恆不黑是這技術高超之處。古垣彰拡更進一步鑽研了自己的獨自技法，以創造出更精緻的藝術作品。他的作品主要有被稱為「白薩摩」及其獨創的「碧薩摩」 的薩摩燒。
只要看一眼他的作品，觀眾就會被吸引到一個從未見過的瓷器世界。他曾在東京、京都和鹿兒島等地舉辦個人作品展。其作品極緻纖細的繪畫技術，獲得日本國內及海外各方面的高度評價。