25433 Living National Treasure Takuo Kato (Reproduced Shosoin Sansai Flower-Shaped Sake Cup)

Height 4.2cm cm

Diameter 6.2cm

Kato Takuo was exposed to the atomic bomb in Hiroshima in his youth and developed leukemia, but with his indomitable spirit, he devoted himself to the study of Persian pottery and produced a variety of works, including reproductions of Persian pottery and restorations of the Shosoin treasures. During his lifetime, he was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon and designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property, and after his death, he was awarded the Oribe Prize Special Prize, leaving behind a brilliant legacy of achievements and laying the foundations for modern Mino pottery. With his own unique training, he made a great contribution by reproducing Persian pottery such as lusterware, sansai, and blue-glazed pottery, and was also awarded the MOA Grand Prize, the highest honor in the ceramics world, and designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder (Living National Treasure). Sansai is Kato Takuo's most representative work, and is the one for which he has been recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder. This is an extremely wonderful piece, with the ring flower shape and the vivid coloring of sansai as exceptionally beautiful accents.