Umehara Hirotaka (梅原 廣隆), the second generation gyokko (玉光), was born in Tokoname City in 1946 as the son of the first Tamami, Umehara harutaka (梅原 晴隆).

He studied ceramics at Tokoname High School Ceramics Department and succeeded the second generation gyokko in 1988.

In 1994, he was certified as a Master of Traditional Crafts by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

He has been selected several times for the "Choza Prize Tokoname Ceramics Exhibition" and "Japan Sencha Crafts Exhibition", which are said to be the gateway to potters from all over the country.

Currently, he has established "gyokkou-touen (玉光陶苑)" and is considered the largest player in Tokoname ware.

The motto of his work is simple, light, and easy to use. He specializes in the production of "red mud teapot," which can be said to be synonymous with Tokoname ware. The artists often produces a teapot using the advanced akaneshibori, which involves repeated firing. The range of his expressions in his work is wide, including the announcement of the gorgeous " hanakousei" series in collaboration with the Kutani ware painter.

Tokoname (常滑) is located near Chubu International Airport in southern Nagoya, Aichi Prefcture. High quality earthenware has been produced here since the 12th century, and still now, Tokoname is a center of pottery production in Japan.

Tokoname is one of Japan's six most important ancient kiln towns - the others are Bizen (備前), Echizen (越前), Seto (瀬戸), Shigaraki (信楽) and Tanba (丹波) - had the largest output of ceramics of any kiln town in the Edo Period (1600-1868). 

In particular, Tokoname used to be the main production site for ceramic water pipes. In modern times, it is known around the world for its ornaments such as tea sets and beckoning cats.