Tea bowl, 'Seto-guro' type

Collection NumberA007438
TitleTea bowl, 'Seto-guro' type
Date2022
Artist, Kiln, Workshop加藤孝造 KATO Kozo
Name of prefectures & citiesKani City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Description of worksThe artist who produced this tea bowl, KATO Kozo, was designated a “Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage” in the category of “Setoguro” (black Seto ware) in 2010. KATO was born in 1935 in Mizunami Town, Gifu Prefecture. After working for Gifuken Tojiki Shikenjo (present-day Gifu Prefectural Ceramics Research Institute), he launched his own studio in 1971. In 1975, he moved to Kukuri in Kani City where the remains of old kilns of the Momoyama period were preserved, and built an anagama (cave kiln) and a noborigama (climbing kiln). Apprenticing under ARAKAWA Toyozo, who was designated a “Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage” in the category of Shino ware, KATO worked hard on reproducing Setoguro (black Seto ware), Shino ware, and Kizeto (yellow Seto ware), using traditional production techniques. The pitch black surface of Setoguro is achieved by firing at 1200 degrees Celsius or higher after coating the piece with iron glaze, taking it out from the kiln around the time the glaze is molten, and cooling it immediately. KATO’s Setoguro is characterized by a profoundly beautiful surface with small shrinkages of the glaze. These “wrinkles” occur when the glaze is applied very thickly. To achieve this effect takes careful preparation of the clay and glaze, as well as choosing the right method of kiln firing and the timing for cooling, based on very sophisticated techniques, and ample experience and knowledge.

PageTop