Katsumi Kako

Tamba Toji Kako Seito Jo

Ceramicist

A path towards vermilion ceramics

Katsumi was born in a traditional family of potters in Kyoto
As an art student, he was inspired by large-scale sculptures
The primal elements of fire and clay keep him captivated

Born into a family of tableware potters, Katsumi Kako grew up with clay as a constant presence in his life. It was not until his time at art university that his perspective shifted, opening a path toward larger, more expressive work in colour and form. "I encountered sharp-edged sculptures and bold architectural forms," he remembers. fondly. Katsumi started experimenting with hand-building techniques after learning to throw on the potter's wheel. Since the early 2000s, Katsumi has been based in Sasayama, in the historic Tamba region of Japan, known for its pottery. Today, he is deeply committed to building community through the Craft Village initiative, a project grounded in the belief that handcraft fosters a holistic living environment. "Our philosophy supports the idea that maker, user and the work itself are inseparably connected," he explains.

Interview

How does your family background influence your practice?: My family was deeply rooted in ceramics, though there was a clear division of labour at the family workshop: my father focused solely on throwing, while my uncles handled glazing and sales. In contrast, I am involved in every step of the process myself, from kneading the clay to firing. I even built my own wood kiln.
Could you describe your attachment to vermilion?: Since a small child, I was drawn to the primitive hue of vermilion that I saw in a pot displayed in the Kyoto National Museum. I discovered a way to express the tonality around 2005, and now I often use the colour as my interpretation and admiration for the ancient vessel in a contemporary context.
How do you define ceramics?: At its core, ceramics are the result of firing clay, a simple, elemental union of earth and fire. I am drawn to pieces that carry the visible traces of these primal forces, where the raw beauty of the process speaks through the work, regardless of the technique employed.
What is your project in the local community of Sasayama?: There are over 20 studios and around 50 craftspeople living and working in the Sasayama region. We launched the Craft Village project in 2020 as a way to come together, reconnect with our shared heritage and find new ways to pass it on. Each autumn, we open our workshops to the public for a week of discovery and exchange.

Katsumi Kako is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1986