Takao Okazaki was born in 1946 in the Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. His first medium was painting, which he studied with modernist Hideyasu Senai. In 1964, he apprenticed with master potter Tokuro Kato whose work in Oribe pottery made him a living national treasure. In 1973, Okazaki established an independent kiln and studio in Yamagata. In 1990, in collaboration with Peter Callas, Okazaki travelled to the US where six years later he established another studio and kiln based in Wingman’s Ferry PA. In 2001, he returned to Yamagata and established a new studio where he continues to make work. His work has been exhibited internationally and he has presented many pottery workshops during his career.