Kagemasa Kato

Background

Kagemasa Kato was born in Fujikage Village, Nara Prefecture.

Education

Kagemasa Kato entered the service of Michichika Koga, a Minister, at an early age and was sent to China with Dogen Zenji to study pottery (1223).

Career

Kagemasa Kato returned home five years later bringing back specimens of Sobokai clay and after traveling all over Japan he was able to match the Chinese clay with that found in Nakajima, where he built a kiln and established reputation of the father of pottery in Japan. In his last years he became a priest under the name of Shun- kei.

Connections

Son:

Toshiro

Grandson:

Tojiro