Vintage item, never used. This Seto-yaki (瀬戸焼) chawan was crafted by the skilled potter Katō Haruji (加藤春二) of Aoi-gama (葵窯) from 1974, a kiln known for its warm glazes and expressive hand-painted decoration. The bowl is formed in a classic, easy-to-hold shape and finished in a soft brown glaze with natural variations typical of Seto’s long ceramic tradition.
The exterior is beautifully adorned with a serene landscape scene: deep indigo leaves brushed in bold strokes, delicate flying birds, and a stylized white mountain—elements that create a sense of quiet movement and seasonal atmosphere. The hand-painted motifs sit gracefully against the earthy clay body, evoking the refined simplicity and grounded aesthetics of Seto ware.
Katō Haruji (加藤春二) was born on February 11, 1892, in Seto, Aichi Prefecture, where he inherited the long-established Aoi Kiln (葵窯). In 1926, he succeeded to the name and became the second-generation “Haruji,” continuing the family’s ceramic tradition. Renowned for his mastery of classic Seto glazes such as Ko-Seto and Oribe, he was formally recognized by Aichi Prefecture as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for these traditional techniques.
Seto-yaki, one of Japan’s historic Six Ancient Kilns (日本六古窯), is celebrated for its long tradition of functional yet artistic pottery. This chawan by Katō Haruji embodies that lineage—simple, natural, and expressive.
