In the same hills that birthed the Tokugawa shogunate, Katsuya Kato stokes the flames of his kiln with pine logs to craft traditional Japanese pottery.
Kato, 70, who exhibits at the Frederick Harris Gallery from March 20 to April 9, hails from a long line of potters in his hometown in southwest Aichi Prefecture.
The 17th-century samurai warriors in nearby Matsudaira revered tea ceremony utensils produced from the region’s coarse, iron-rich clay, which gives the kohiki style of ceramics its signature “rugged” finish.
Kato, who achieved acclaim at national competitions, forms clay on a potter’s wheel into large pots or unconventional shapes like cubes and trapezoids.
Pieces are coated in white liquid clay and fired in his hand-built anagama kiln. They are covered by a thin layer of ash glaze and fired again.
Gallery Exhibition
Mar 20–Apr 9
Gallery Reception
Free
Open to adults, invitees and Members only
