Mori Togaku Receives Medal with Purple Ribbon

Bizen ceramic artist Mori Togaku was recently given the high honor of being awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon (Shijuhosho), which recognizes outstanding achievements in arts, academics and sports. The award will be given to Mori by the emperor today, May 17th. More about the award can be found here: http://www8.cao.go.jp/intro/kunsho/english/index.html
To my knowledge ceramic artists who have recieved this award are Itaya Hazan, Tomimoto Kenkichi, Kondo Yuzo, Kaneshige Toyo and Hamada Shoji.
More about Mori can be found on www.e-yakimono.net; needless to say he is a major Bizen artist and one I deeply respect.