Shigetoshi Nakazato (1930–2015) was a ceramic artist who, whilst upholding the traditions of Karatsu ware, infused the craft with new expressions through his own artistic sensibility. Born into a distinguished Karatsu family, he honed his skills under the guidance of his father, Taroemon Nakazato, the twelfth-generation master. His repertoire spanned a wide range of styles, including E-Karatsu, Chōsen-Karatsu and Mottled Karatsu, and he left behind a body of work that cherished the inherent qualities of the clay, the flow of the glaze and the natural textures created by the firing process. He later established the San-gen Kiln, where he pursued a light and contemporary style of Karatsu ware whilst remaining true to tradition.

His works convey a sense of unpretentious generosity, free from excessive artifice, alongside a sure sense of form underpinned by his long experience. The rough texture of the clay, the variations in glaze intensity, and even the slightest distortions all contribute to the character of the vessels, making them grow more endearing the more they are used. To me, Shigetoshi Nakazato’s work appears to be a form of pottery that inherits the vigour of ancient Karatsu whilst adding a soft, refined elegance. I believe these are pieces whose charm deepens further through daily use.