Yuji Ueda was born in Shiga Prefecture, Japan in 1975, to a family of tea growers in Shigaraki, a region known for its pottery and Japanese tea. He currently lives and works there. Through his experimentation with firing techniques, Ueda has created a unique process in which he employs whole blocks of Choseki feldspar or builds up irregular clay surfaces that can be fired in anagama kilns. Since 2019, Ueda has started creating paintings as well.