24221 Kato Tokuro (Kiseto tea bowl "Fushimi Momoyama" (Certificate of Authenticity from Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and catalog included)

Height 8.5cm

Diameter 14.2cm

He was born in Mizuno Village, Higashi Kasugai County, Aichi Prefecture (present-day Mizuhoku Town, Seto City). He studied and worked to recreate pottery from the Momoyama period, but lost his status as an intangible cultural property due to the fabrications he made during the Einin no Tsubo Incident. After the incident, he devoted himself to pottery making. He created the Toukabe, a combination of architecture and ceramics. Toukabe is a word coined by Tokuro. He also uses the names Ichimu Sai, Ichimu, Noto, Yato, Togen, and Gen. His sons, Okabe Mineo (eldest son), Kato Shigetaka (third son), and grandson Kato Takahiro are also potters.

The tampan glaze and iron glaze bring out beautiful colors on the tightly fired vessel body, adding a rustic look. The inscription "Fushimizu Momoyama" is an old way of writing Fushimi in Kyoto. Momoyama is the birthplace of Momoyama culture. Fushimi also means to overlook. Overall, I think it conveys the splendor of the view overlooking the Momoyama Hills in Fushimi, Kyoto, the birthplace of Momoyama culture. It brings to mind the image of warm spring weather and the scenery of vegetation beginning to sprout. This is a Kiseto tea bowl that he only made twice in his life. This is an exquisite Kiseto tea bowl made in his final years that opened up new realms.

*A copy of the catalogue will be provided.