| Takuo Kato | ||
| Birth Date: September 12, 1917 |
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| Death Date: January 11, 2005 Artist Gallery |
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| Born into a family of pottery masters dating back to the late Edo Period (1603-1867), Kato began studying the ceramic arts at a very young age under his father, Kato Kobe, the fifth heir of the grand pottery master of Mino ware. Mino ware refers to Japanese pottery that was produced in Mino Province around the towns of Toki and Minokamo in Gifu Prefecture, central Japan. The region developed into one of the worlds largest centers of ceramics production. Even today, the region produces over 60% of the nation’s Japanese tableware.
Kato was a leading figure in the restoration of Persian lusterware ceramics that had disappeared around the 16th to 17th centuries and also in the restoration of three-color glaze ceramics, the oldest Japanese pottery technique, developed in the Nara Period (710-794).
Kato distinguished himself as a leading expert in ancient pottery restoration techniques by successfully restoring Persian lusterware in the early 1980s after some 20 years of studies.
His achievements brought him numerous art awards. He was named a Living National Treasure in 1995. Sadly, he passed away of pneumonia in 2005. |
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