Akihiro Maeta (前田 昭博, Maeta Akihiro) (from Tottori, Japan, born May 1, 1954) is a Japanese ceramic artist known for white porcelain. He is a Living National Treasure of Japan and a member of the Japan Kōgei Association.^[1]

Maeta's style is achieved by hand-forming his works as opposed to forming them on a potter's wheel.^[2] He uses his fingers, palms, and a blade to perfect the shape of his white porcelain sculptures.

As a result of his work with ceramics, Maeta has won numerous awards including the Ceramic Society of Japan award in 2003.^[3] He is also acknowledged as a holder of important intangible cultural property for his work with white porcelain.^[4]

In 2007, he was awarded a Medal of Honour with purple ribbon by the government of Japan.^[5]

In 2013, he was recognized as a Living National Treasure of Japan.^[4]

• British Museum, London, United Kingdom^[6]
• Tottori Prefectural Museum, Tottori Prefecture, Japan

• Akihiro Maeta website