Hajimu Kato

Hajimu Kato was born in Shigaraki, Japan in 1946, has only been potting full time since 1987 but despite this his work was included in the “Great Shigaraki Exhibition” in 2001 alongside past and modern Shigaraki masters.

Here's an image of him back on 2004.



………………… and his wood-firing kiln.

A chawan (teabowl) and guinomi (sake cup) by Kato-san.

One of the problems with Japanese pots in general is that different types of pots by the same potter are not always marked the same.

Here is Kato-san's mark from a chawan, which I hope you can make out: -


and the seal mark from the guinomi (with a pencil sketch by me added): -

If that isn't enough marks, here is one of his vases with a different mark on the base.


…. and the full incised signature on the base.

Last November items of Kato-san's work sold as part of the following exhibition: -


These are shown below.

A more unusual shaped vase by Hajimu Kato. It has the same incised signature as the other vases on the base.

Another vase dating from 2005.

Excellent ash build up and colour on this tokkuri.

Another tokkuri from the same firing.

This vase; the pots above and others were bought by the Harlequin Gallery over several years directly from Kato-san and sold to buyers within the UK without boxes. I don't know of any others coming into the UK and so, if you come across anything in this country, the Harlequin Gallery is likely to be the original source.