Potter: Sho Kato

Approximate size: W4.4 by 4.5 by H3.2″ or 11.2 by 11.5 by 8.3 cm

This is a fine kuro or black Oribe chawan, ceremonial tea bowl by master potter Sho Kato (1927-2001). Thrown not so wide as standard tea bowls but not as slim as to termed tsutsu. Slightly heavy with a deep black glaze which contrasts wonderfully with what I assume to be abstract bamboo-stalks on a white backdrop. The glaze is exceptionally well formed with much detail frozen in time (such as the little bubbles that can be seen in the photo above), and has a fine translucency that covers the glaze.

Oribe is a visual style named after the late 16th century tea master Furuta Oribe (1544-1615). It’s most often seen in pottery, but extends to textiles and paintings. Oribe was of the Bushi class and not a potter however he also (like many other influential figures in Japan’s art history), something akin to an art director or designer. He embodied the spirit of wabi tea so completely that he was able to give it form in a truly new and unique vision. Boldly formed, often intentionally distorted chawan, decorated with green, black and brown glazes and abstract designs, appeared on the tea ceremony scene in Kyoto.

Sho Kato graduated from Tokyo’s University of Art before becoming an independent artist. First accepted at the Nitten Exhibition in 1961 and has since displayed nationally and internationally. Recipient of the Nitten Hokuto Prize and served as a judge at this prestigious event. Much in the same fashion, he also took residence as a judge at the Asahi Togei Ten, Kofukai and Nihon Shin Kogei Ten or National Japanese New Craft Exhibition. Together with Seisei Suzuki and Goro Kawamoto – Sho Kato gave form to and is regarded a representative artist of Seto in the 20th century. As such he was designated a Human Cultural Treasure of Aichi Prefecture in the year 2000. He sadly passed just one year later.

The motifs, taken from nature or other decorative patterns such as textiles, were ground-breaking in their bold informality. Casting aside Korean and Chinese influences, they were also entirely Japanese. It must have been this recognition of a new Japanese aesthetic that caused tea devotees to cherish Oribe ware. Its ability to capture something of the artistic and spiritual soul of Japan quickly spread throughout the country, and its mass popularity continues to this day.

Sho Kato’s biography includes a long list of prizes – including the National Ceramic Art Exhibition’s most coveted Minister of Education Award, the Silver Cup Craft Award and the Kofukai Jade Award. Formally recognized by the government and given Seto City’s Achievement Award and given the Order of the Sacred Treasure.