Nitten Judge, Vice President of Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association, Master of Seto Ware Kato Sho (加藤釥): Oribe Daisai Guinomi Pair, Japanese Shot Glasses #336
Height approx. 5.2 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 6.0 cm (Pair)
Condition
Very good (no chips, no cracks). Please regard the crazing that forms in firing, other characteristics of ceramics and the patina of age as part of the pleasure of an antique piece.
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About this piece
Born in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture in 1927 and passed away in 2001, this refined pair of Oribe daisai guinomi (sake cups) is created by Kato Sho (加藤釥, 1927–2001), a master representing the Seto ceramic realm. After graduating from Aichi Prefectural Seto Ceramic High School in 1944, Kato Sho fused Seto's advanced traditional techniques with scientific glaze theory, establishing a new sculptural beauty of modern craft that transcended the framework of traditional tea ceramics. Starting with Special Selection awards at Nitten in 1962 and 1964, Kato's works were purchased by The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo in 1968 and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970, leaving remarkable achievements; the artist also led post-war Japanese ceramics by holding key positions such as Nitten judge and Vice President of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association. The artist's works are officially housed in public collections such as the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Seto City Art Museum, and Setogura Museum. Our shop presents this creation, in which Seto's long tradition and modern sculptural consciousness crystalize, to the global market not only as traditional sake cups, but also as vintage shot glasses (a pair of Japanese shot glasses) for enjoying the rich depth of amber aged sake or matured whisky.
This work clearly manifests a design in which the daisai (clay slip coloring) technique—Kato Sho's specialty which earned high acclaim—and vibrant glaze expressions draw a splendid contrast. On the surface of the small, comfortably hand-held pair measuring approximately 5.2 cm in height and 6.0 cm in mouth diameter, a pale yellow-ochre clay slip base with a matte, rustic texture is applied, where vertical bands of deep, vivid indigo and cobalt blue glaze flow down, constructing a dignified, modern geometric pattern. The beauty of coloration based on calculated scientific glaze theory merges with the pleasant tactile quality of the clay body, and the artist's own incised signature "Sho" is firmly carved on the unglazed clay base inside the foot ring.
Regarding the period of production, it is identified as an authentic work created between 1974 and circa 1980, when Kato served as a Nitten judge and Kato's artistic style reached completion. The vessels themselves have no cracks or chips, maintaining extremely good condition in both glaze coloration and texture. It arrives in complete condition as a pair, accompanied by its dedicated Tomobako (wooden box) inscribed in ink on the lid "Sakazuki" with a red seal stamped by the artist, as well as a biography leaflet.
Career Highlights: 1957 Selected for the 13th Nitten Exhibition for the first time; 1962 Received Special Selection at the 5th Nitten Exhibition; 1964 Received Special Selection at the 7th Nitten Exhibition and Minister of International Trade and Industry Award; 1968 Nitten entry purchased by The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; 1969 & 1974 Appointed Nitten Judge; 1970 Nitten entry "Soyo" purchased by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Public Collections: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum; Seto City Art Museum; Setogura Museum, etc.
Date: Circa 1974–1980
Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks). Please regard the crazing that forms in firing, other characteristics of ceramics and the patina of age as part of the pleasure of an antique piece.
Accompanied by: Dedicated Tomobako, biography leaflet included
Dimensions: Height approx. 5.2 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 6.0 cm (Pair)
Please Note: All products offered by our shop are pre-owned items due to their historical production period, even if unused. Products may have age-related damage, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying these condition details.
About the Photographs: We prepare every description with great care, but errors may still remain in the text. Please examine the photos carefully before purchasing. Where the photos and the description differ, please take the photos as the basis for the product information.
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