1851 – 1916
male
Real name: Tomotaro. Born the second son of Seto potter Kato Yohachi, Kato Toju began porcelain making after moving to Tokyo and beginning studies under Inoue Ryosai. Afterward, he received instruction from Gottfried Wagener and others at the Yamashita-mon Industrial Bureau Porcelain Making Test Center, and invented a unique red glaze named “Tojuko.” In 1882, he inherited Wagener’s western-style kiln and began operations under the new kiln name, Yugyokuen Ceramics. During this same time, he also worked as the factory manager at the ceramics manufacturing company, Edogawa Seitosho.
Thereafter, he continued making dyed underglaze ceramics for export overseas which featured vibrantly colored glazes and artwork.
