A fabulous image of a Mizusashi in soft washes of ink by legendary potter Kato Tokuro signed with the name Ichimusai, which he used later in life. Ink on paper mounted in blue silk with black lacquered wooden rollers and in excellent condition. The scroll is 32.8 x 117 cm (13 x 46 inches and comes enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Cha-to E in turn enclosed in a second, outer, protective wooden box (niju-bako).
Kato Tokuro (1898–1985) was a seminal figure in the modern history of Japanese ceramics. Born in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, he devoted his career to the study and revival of Momoyama-period wares, most notably Shino and Oribe. Through careful examination of excavated shards and historical kiln sites, he developed innovative methods to re-create their characteristic glazes and forms, contributing significantly to the rediscovery of techniques long thought lost. His works are distinguished by their bold presence, luminous surfaces, and a balance between scholarly reconstruction and contemporary expression. His achievements in reestablishing Shino and Oribe as vital traditions were transformative, and his influence extends across generations of potters. Kato’s legacy lies in his role as both a researcher and maker, bridging past and present and reshaping the trajectory of 20th-century Japanese ceramics.
