Kato Bakutai (加藤麥袋), Japanese (1861–1943)

A Shino Heicha-Wan (志野焼き 平茶碗)

Showa Era (1926–1989)

About the work

An elegantly restrained heicha-wan (flat tea bowl) in the Shino style by Kato Bakutai, a revered master of late 19th to early 20th-century Seto ceramics. Celebrated for his graceful forms and subtle glazing, Bakutai’s works reflect a refined aesthetic deeply rooted in classical traditions.

This tea bowl, made when the artist was 88 years old, reveals a serene beauty with its understated profile and gently rounded edges. The surface is covered in a soft, milky white feldspar glaze, subtly textured and accented with minimalistic iron underglaze brushwork around the rim, highlighting the vessel’s quiet sophistication.

Dimensions

5.7cm(h) x 17cm(w) x16.8cm(d)

Footnote

Kato Bakutai was an influential figure in the revival of traditional Seto ceramic techniques from the late Meiji to early Showa eras. Born in Seto in 1861, Bakutai studied under Kato Shuntai and mastered diverse ceramic styles, including Shino, Mishima, and Tenmoku. Throughout his extensive career, he significantly contributed to preserving the heritage of Seto ware, producing works notable for their refined simplicity and spiritual depth. His pieces, particularly those crafted late in his life, remain valued by collectors and tea practitioners for their mature elegance and historical resonance.