[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.
[Shuntei Kato]
A potter, the master of Kanaegama (a pottery studio) in Seto.
The founder of Japanese pottery, Shirouzaemon Sato who visited to China to learn pottery and started pottery in Seto in Kamakura period, is Shuntei Kato's ancestor in the direct line.
The First Generation: Shuntei Kato (1885-1961)
He was the third children of Shunsen Kato, a potter in Seto. His real name was Kanae.
Later, he established the branch family and named himself as “Shuntei”. He collected antique ceramic wares and studied techniques and methods from them. He was called as a master who had great skills of not only pottery but also drawings and calligraphy. His style of pottery was the traditional Setoyaki style, but at the same time, he had a modern sense.
The Second Generation: Shuntei Kato (1927-1995)
He was a son of the first generation. He succeeded his father’s name in 1961.
His style was dynamic Momoyama period style ( gorgeous and noble style of art) and “Hikiakade” ( a technique of pottery to make a deep black-colored pottery by putting burning tea bowls or dishes in a kin into cold water.) was his specialty.
He was a director of Seto Pottery Association and received the Art Encouragement Prize and the Distinguished Services Prize by Aichi Prefecture. His Kosetobachi ( tea bowl) was selected as one of the eternal conservation art works by Seto city.
He died at the age of 83, in 1995.
The Third Generation: Shuntei Kato (1960-)
He was the oldest son of the second generation. He learned pottery under Toshio Takeda in 1980, Bunsai Kobayashi in 1981 and Hideyuki Hayashi in 1982, then visited European countries for study. After he came back to Japan, he make pottery at his father’s pottery studio. In 1997, he succeeded his father’s name.
He has been held exhibitions in various cities in Japan. With his strong belief that the value of tableware is completed when foods are served on them, he has hold dinner parties called “ the collaboration of pottery and food” that people can enjoy cuisines served on his hand made dishes in Japan and Europe.
In 2011, he was invited to the demonstration of Japanese Tea ceremony held in British Museum in London and held his exhibition in Paris. He continues to create actively within and outside Japan.
[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.