[Seto ware]
Seto ware is a type of Japanese pottery produced in and around the village of Seto in Aichi Prefecture. Seto was one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan.
The first pottery in Seto produced in the 13th century, and Seto was the only area where produced glazed ceramics in medieval times of Japan.
Katō Shirōzaemon is credited as the first potter to produce Seto ware. He brought methods of glazed ceramics from China in Kamakura period, and he started the production of ceramics glazed with iron glaze and ash glaze in Seto. In Momoyama period (1337–1573), Seto potters produced more tea utensils along with the development of tea ceremony.
Seto ware has various kinds of glazes; ash glaze, iron glaze, Kiseto(yellow), Setokuro(black), Shino, Oribe and Tetsu-aka.
[Masaru KAMEI] 1933-
A Japanese potter. Born in Aichi prefecture in 1933.
Masaru Kamei graduated from Aichi Prefectural Seto Pottery Senior High School, then refined his skills under his father. He won his first prize at the Nitten Exhibition in 1953 to be a youngest winner.　
However, after his first prize in 1953, he quit to exhibit his works at any exhibitions for several years to concentrate on creating his original pottery style. Then he established his original style of artworks, that is metallic abstract artworks made of black pottery. Masaru got to be famous as an avant-garde potter in Japan and his outstanding works received many prizes. He also held many trainings abroad and his works has received high evaluation both in and out of the country.
Prize Received
1972 The Foreign Minister's Award at Japan Modern Art Crafts Exhibition
1973 The Chunichi International Ceramic Exhibition Grand Prize
1974, 1976 Nitten Exhibition Special Award
1994 The Japan Modern Art Crafts Exhibition Prime Minister Prize
2000 The Japan Modern Art Crafts Exhibition Minister for Education Prize
2012 The 44th Nitten Exhibition Minister of Education Prize