Seppou Iida was born in Noto City in 1941.
After leaving his hometown in childhood and training in floral design – a traditional Japanese art form – Iida began to pursue pottery.

In 1974 he co-founded the Hokutoh Pottery Studio. Ten years later, Hokutoh was established as a limited liability company. In addition to holding courses and creating original works, Iida also provides guidance to artists throughout the Hokuriku region.

Tsuruyo Kitamura was born in Komatsu City in 1957.
She joined Hokutoh in 1980, when she apprenticed under Seppou Iida. Kitamura has exhibited her works at Nitten, and her numerous awards include the Modern Industrial Arts Exhibition Members’ Award and top honors at the Contemporary Art Exhibition.
Kitamura is a Nitten Fellow and a member of the Modern Industrial Artists Association, Ishikawa Prefectural Arts and Culture Association, and the Ishikawa Prefectural Pottery Association.

1972 Born in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
1991 Graduated from the Craft Department of Ishikawa Prefectural Technical High School
1991 Graduated from Technical High School, Ishikawa, Japan
1998 Studied art in France, Italy and Spain.
Studied art in France, Italy and Spain, and stayed in Faenza, Italy.

Awards
1999 World Craft Competition, Grand Prix
1999 World Competition of Arts and Crafts, Grand Prize, Kanazawa 2015
The 41st Japan Contemporary Craft Exhibition, Member’s Prize
The 60th and 62nd Ishikawa Contemporary Art Exhibition, Grand Prize
The First Kenrokuen Tea Ceremony Craft Exhibition, The Best Prize
Many other awards
Solo exhibitions in the United States, Shanghai, China, and Japan.