[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.
　[Sakusuke KATO]
A Japanese potter in Seto City, Aichi prefecture.
One of the branch families of Toshiro KATO, the originator of Seto ware. Toshiro Kagemasa KATO was a potter who visited China following Zen master Dogen to study pottery in 1222. After his return in 1227, he built his kiln in Seto. Later 10th generation Kagemasa, Ninzaburo Masataka had created a new branch in Akazu, Seto City and established his kiln. Potters family in modern times: Tozaburo KATO, Jinbei KATO, Sakusuke KATO and Tahe KATO are descendants of Ninzaburo Masataka.
Kagekiyo, the 23rd descendant of Toshiro KATO ( later Jusai) was the first “Sakusuke” in the end of Edo period and the name has been succeeded until today.
First Generaion (1808-1893)
A potter in late Edo Period.
Born in Owari (present Aichi prefecture). His true name was Kagekiyo, his art name was Jusai.
He succeeded the 7th generation Kagemoto KATO, the brunch family of Akazu kiln and created tea utensils and Sake vessels. He died in 1893 at the age of 86.

Second Generation (1844-1923)
A potter in the end of Edo and Meiji Period.
He was a son of the first generation Sakusuke. His real name was Kageyoshi, his art names were Syunitsu/ Shunsen. He succeeded the 8th generation Kagemoto KATO and created tea utensils and Sake vessels. He died in 1923 at the age of 86.
Third Generatinon (unknown)
He was close to Rosanjin KITAOJI(a Japanese painter/potter/calligrapher) and Rosanjin often visited his kiln.
Fourth Generation (1909-)
After his graduation from the ceramic course of Kyoto Crafts School, he refined his skills at Kyoto Ceramic Experimental Station. He finished his study in 1935 then returned Seto to succeeded his father’s kiln. He was designated as the holder of an important intangible cultural property by Aichi Prefecture in the field of Oribe/Kiseto/Ofukei ware in 1983.
Fifth Generation (1940-)
The present master.
After he graduated the sculpture course of the Tokyo University of Arts, he returned to Seto and created pottery along his father.
He has won several prizes at many exhibitions since 1969 when he won his first prize at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition.
He started to work as a part‐time teacher at the Department of Arts of the Aichi University of Arts in 1968 then became a professor in 1992 (he has been an emeritus professor after his retirement).
Not only to strive for creating traditional wares as a potter, but also he worked hard to train younger generations therefore he taught future potters at the Aichi University of Arts till his retirement at age of 60.
In 2002, he was designated as a holder of an important intangible cultural property by Aichi Prefecture in the field of Oribe/Kiseto ware and succeeded the 5th generation Sasuke in 2006.
[Oribe ware]
One style of Japanese pottery created in Mino area in Gifu prefecture between the end of 16th century and the early 17th century. One kind of Mino ware.
The history had began in the and of 16th century when Oribe FURUTA, a Japanese feudal lord and a tea master who was a discipline of Sen no Rikyu let potters create tea utensils in his favor. Potters created his favored tea utensils which had unique shapes and paintings. Oribe ware was quite eccentric and original at that time because generally the style of Oribe is deformed and polygon.
The major color of Oribe ware is black, deep green and red. They are decided into Oribe kuro (or Kuro(black) Oribe), Ao(blue) Oribe, Aka (red) Oribe, Shino Oribe and so on depends on color of glazes and other characteristics.
Most of Oribe Kuro (Kuro Oribe) products are chawans, and other Oribe ware are mostly table wares.