Bowl matcha / Shino yaki KATO JUEMON

Please note, this item is a unique piece.

This bowl matcha This pottery comes from the Yasaka kiln, founded in 1940 by master potter Katō Jūemon (1894–1974) in Kani, Mino region (Gifu Prefecture). A descendant of the founding potter Katō Kageyoshi, considered one of the ancestors of Mino ceramics, Katō Jūemon carried on a centuries-old tradition while playing a key role in the revival of Mino pottery after World War II.

Fascinated by Momoyama period ceramics, he dedicated his life to recreating and perfecting the iconic styles of that era: Shino, with its milky white glaze speckled with subtle crackles; Kizeto, with its golden-yellow glaze and subtle nuances; Oribe, with its coppery green and bold forms; and Mino Iga, with its powerful textures and shimmering reflections. Through his technical mastery and mastery of fire, Katō Jūemon established himself as a grand master of Mino-yaki, renowned for the vitality and depth of his glazes.

In 1958, he was designated holder of the title of Intangible Cultural Treasure of the Gifu Prefecture, in recognition of his role in preserving cooking traditions and in transmitting local know-how.

Katō Jūemon's handmade bowls, fired in the intense flames of a wood-fired kiln, embody the spirit of wabi—a simple, raw, and serene beauty. Each piece reveals the traces of fire, time, and the hand of the craftsman, evoking the soul of Momoyama-era pottery while bearing the sensitive signature of a 20th-century artisan.

Matcha Bowl — Shino, Kizeto or Oribe style
Katō Jūemon — Yasaka Kiln, Mino

This matcha The bowl comes from the Yasaka Kiln, established in 1940 by Katō Jūemon (1894–1974) in Kani, Gifu Prefecture. A descendant of Mino ceramic founder Katō Kageyoshi, Jūemon devoted his career to reviving the Momoyama-period Mino tradition, becoming one of the key figures in the postwar resurgence of Mino ware.

Captivated by the beauty of Momoyama ceramics, he excelled in recreating and refining their signature styles: Shino, with its soft milky glaze and subtle crackle; Kizeto, with warm yellow tones; Oribe, bold and expressive in green copper glaze; and Mino Iga, with rugged textures and natural ash deposits. Through masterful control of kiln atmosphere and clay composition, Katō Jūemon achieved works of remarkable depth and vitality, bridging classical aesthetics and modern craftsmanship.

In 1958, he was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Property of Gifu Prefecture, honoring his contributions to the preservation and transmission of traditional Mino pottery techniques.

Each of his bowls, hand-shaped and wood-fired, embodies the spirit of wabi — the quiet beauty found in imperfection and natural simplicity. The interplay of flame, glaze, and form reflects both the power of nature and the disciplined sensitivity of a true Mino master.