Takuo Kato Takuo Kato (1917-2005) was a ceramic artist and the sixth generation head of the Kobei Kiln. He reproduced lusterware, blue glaze, sancai, and Persian colored enamel. He was designated a Nationally Designated Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure), an honorary citizen of Gifu Prefecture, and an honorary citizen of Tajimi City. 1917 Born in Tajimi City, Gifu Prefecture. He studied under his father, Kobei Kato. Later, Takuo reminisced about his childhood, writing that his uncle Motokazu Kato and his friend, Koichi Takagi, an English teacher at Tajimi Technical School who loved antique pottery, "would take me out to dig in the kiln ruins every Sunday." [1] 1935 Graduated from Gifu Prefectural Tajimi Technical School (Gifu Prefectural Tajimi Technical High School). 1938 Joined the Army. He enrolled in the Army Radio School in Chiba City as an officer candidate. 1940 Transferred to North China and commissioned as a second lieutenant, serving in the Beijing Training Corps. 1943 Transferred to the Second Signal Corps of the Imperial General Headquarters in Hiroshima City, leading 400 soldiers, and served as a radio communications company commander. 1945 On August 6, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima City, but he escaped because he was on a train on the Japan National Railways Geibi Line on his way to a business trip to Yonago City. He was later exposed to radiation while retrieving the bodies of those killed in the bombing. He developed leukemia and fought the disease for approximately 10 years. 1956 His green-glazed vase was selected for the Nitten Exhibition for the first time. 1961 At the invitation of the Finnish government, he studied abroad to exchange designs and techniques. He graduated from the Finnish School of Arts and Crafts. On his way back, he stopped in Iran, where he "felt a deep affection and fascination for the Persian climate, which retains traces of the past, and the beauty of ancient pottery born from a history of rise and fall." 1963 Received the Hokuto Prize at the 6th Nitten Exhibition, purchased by the government. 1965 Received the Hokuto Prize at the 8th Nitten Exhibition. 1973 To study Persian ceramics, he studied abroad at the Institute of Asian Studies at Pahlavi University in Iran and participated in an excavation of ancient Persian pottery. He subsequently visited the Middle East more than a dozen times. 1975 Received the Chunichi Cultural Award for his research on Persian glazes and his training in Mino ceramics. 1980 Commissioned by the Imperial Household Agency to recreate the Shosoin Sansai (three-colored glaze) wares. 1983 Recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Tajimi City and Gifu Prefecture. 1986 Held a solo exhibition at the Topkapi Palace Museum in Istanbul, Turkey. 1988 Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon. 1991 Received the Gold Prize from the Japan Ceramic Association. 1992 He created the "Monkey Head-Shaped Inkstone" as a sacred treasure for the Shikinen Sengu (yearly rebuilding) of Ise Grand Shrine. 1993 Held a solo exhibition at the Musee de l'Étoile in Paris, France. Received the Okada Mokichi Award Grand Prize from the MOA Museum of Art. 1995 On May 31, he was recognized as a holder of the nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property "Sancai" (Living National Treasure). 1996 He was appointed an honorary citizen of Gifu Prefecture. 2002 The "Living National Treasure: Kato Takuo's Silk Road Journey" exhibition was held in Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, and Nagoya. 2005 He passed away on January 11 at the age of 87. He was posthumously awarded the 5th Oribe Award Special Prize. His representative works are displayed in the second-floor exhibition room of the Kobeigama Main Building, and materials from his 40 years of research on Persian pottery are exhibited at the Kobeigama Ancient Ceramics Museum. With original signed and sealed tomobako. Measurements: diameter: 10 cm height: 22,5 cm Good condition, there could be signs of age and wear from normal use, marks, stains, scratches, rubbing; please, see pictures for actual condition. Registered shipping with tracking number, well packed for safe and fast delivering!