Kato Tatsuo | 加藤竜雄作

b.1940

About👤

A former painting student with a refined eye for composition, Kato Tatsuo trained under the renowned Sansaku Sekiguchi for a decade before developing his own expressive style. Known for pronounced facial features and elegant kimono designs, his work draws from traditional Nihonga influences and themes of moonlit serenity and folklore. Kato’s mastery of engraving and burning techniques, paired with rich German pigments and a variety of woods like keyaki and enju, lends depth and warmth to each creation. Honors such as the Prime Minister’s Award and the Medal of Honor affirm his status as a contemporary master within Japan’s folk art traditions.

Awards🏅

1981 Received the Minister of Education's Encouragement Award for "Clouds Going Forward" at the National Modern Kokeshi Exhibition

2011 Received numerous awards, including

Minister of International Trade and Industry Award
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Commissioner's Award, at the All Japan Kokeshi Competition. Deputy Prime Minister's Award
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Award
Minister of International Trade and Industry Award, at the All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition. Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare's Award as a contemporary master craftsman (for outstanding skilled worker).
Received the Prime Minister's Award for "Flight" at the All Gunma Modern Kokeshi Competition.
Received the Yellow Ribbon Medal

Exhibitions | Memberships 🖼️

Member of the Japan Kokeshi Crafts Association and judge of the National Exhibition. Resides in Shibukawa City, Gunma Prefecture.

Other📑

Sources:

Artisan photo credit: Licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 (2023).

Kato Tatsuo [Photograph]. Gunma Prefecture Official Website.