26278 12th Generation Taroemon Nakazato Karatsu Guinomi NAKAZATO Taroemon

Height: 4.6 cm
Diameter: 6.1 cm

He was the second son of the 11th Tarouemon, but his elder brother chose a different path, so Shigeo was to inherit the family business. He studied at Arita Industrial School and, after graduating, worked as an engineer at Karatsu Ceramics Co., Ltd. and Karatsu Brick Co., Ltd., where he mastered fundamental pottery techniques. Later, he was adopted into the Mutsuro family, a lumber merchant, but following his father's death in 1924, he assumed the name of the 12th Tarouemon in 1927. The following year, 1928, he rebuilt the Ochawan kiln, which had been used since the feudal era, and constructed a new downdraft coal kiln. In 1929, he began excavations of ancient Karatsu kiln sites, and thereafter dedicated himself to the research and revival of ancient Karatsu ware, which had long been discontinued, perfecting the "tataki" (paddled) technique. In 1955, he was designated as an intangible cultural property for Karatsu ware. In 1967, he received the Medal with Purple Ribbon; in 1969, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class; and in 1970, the Nishinihon Culture Prize. Furthermore, in 1976, he was designated a Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property) for Karatsu ware. During this period, in 1959, he took the tonsure at Daitoku-ji Temple in Kyoto, received the name Mu'an, and retired. In the same year, he had his eldest son, Tadao, assume the name of the 13th Nakazato Tarouemon, and thereafter devoted himself to his unique pottery creations. While he primarily produced tea ceremony wares, he also created works such as jars and large vases that prominently showcased the characteristics of the tataki technique. He also excelled in sculptural expressions, such as lion figurines, leaving behind numerous masterpieces.