Masahiro Kumagae was born into a potter`s family, working in the traditional Agano ware style. The influence of these traditional techniques has stayed with him throughout his career.

He started his training at a specialist ceramics school in Arita and went on to study craft design at Fukuoka University. Following that, he did a two year apprenticeship with Jiro Matsuo, a potter working in his own individual style.

After his apprenticeship, he returned to Agano and rather than staying in his father`s workshop, decided to set up his own place. This move gave him a sense of freedom and allowed him to develop his own style and techniques of making, drawing on tradition but not bound by it. His work is constantly evolving and is always looking to the future and the next exciting inspiration.

His work is widely exhibited in galleries in Japan and he has also exhibited in Korea, Taiwan and England.