A set of five Oribe Mukozuke dishes in rounded triangular form by Kato Sakuuke enclosed in an old wooden box. They are 9.5 x 9 x 9.5 cm (roughly 3-1/2 inches in all directions) and all are in excellent condition.
The Katō Sakusuke family of the Akazu kiln traces its origins to Kageharu, the younger brother of Katō Riheiemon (the first-generation Tōzaburō), who returned to the village from Mino during the Keichō era in the early Edo period. The first-generation Sakusuke (Kagekiyo, born 1808), the seventh-generation descendant of Kageharu, took the artist name Jusai. As described in Owari no Hana (Flowers of Owari):"Naturally skilled in pottery, he succeeded his father’s house, adopting the name Sakusuke and greatly revitalizing the family’s work. He created vessels modeled after ancient methods, producing many tea utensils and sake vessels. His works were all refined and richly elegant." The Second Generation: Katō Kageyoshi (born in 1844) took the name Shunsen.bThe younger brother of the second generation branched off to establish a separate family line, using the name "Sakusuke" for his works, later adopting the name "Shun'itsu. The family tradition was upheld by the third generation (Seiichi, also known as Shunzan), and the fourth generation (Norihiko). It is now under the management of the fifth generation.
