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Seto Production Kiln Markings Kamajirushi are the small markings on pots that identify the potter or production kiln. Seto ware is generally made in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture. "Seto" itself refers to both the city and the style of pottery that originated there. Seto is also one of Japan's six old kilns. "Sometsuke" refers to cobalt blue underglazed ware. Seto Sometsuke Overview Porcelain came to Seto rather late. It first appeared in the beginning of the 19th century when Kato Tamikichi returned to Seto from Kyushu and successfully fired cobalt-decorated porcelain. This is called Seto-Sometsuke. Tamikichi is regarded as "the father of porcelain" in the Seto region. Seto Sometsuke played an important role is Seto's ceramic history from then on until a few decades ago when it lost it's vitality. These days a group of Seto potters is trying to revive the style and many of their kamajurushi are shown below along with some of the ancient greats. Below is a list showing the kamajirushi of some of Seto's most popular potters, production kilns, and the kiln's name. Note: kama (kiln) is read as gama after the name.  Kamajirushi of Sometsuke Masters Potter Name Kamajirushi Potter Name Kamajirushi Kato Gosuke IV Kato Shubei II Kato Senpachi Kato Tamikichi Kato Shohei Kawamoto Rikichi Kato Zenji III Kawamoto Masukichi The above kamajurushi were taken from two books: The Grace and Workmanship of Porcelain - Unfolding Developments in Japan ( Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, 1998) Ceramics of Seto, 1300 Years (Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, 1995)  Seto Production Kiln Markings - Most Recent Name Kamajirushi Name Kamajirushi Bakuzan-gama (or  Midori-gama) Miura jikikazu-gama Beni-gama Nanzan-gama Bukugamarishuuen Raku-youbou Dousen-gama Ryusen-gama Gokuhou-gama Setohongyou-gama Goshun-gama Shingyoku-en Hantou-gama Shinzan-gama Hazuki-gama Shousai-gama Housen-gama Shouzan-gama Houzan-gama Shunpou-gama Iwaemon-gama Sometsuke kamayashin-gama Kamamoto Ryuen Sometsuke-touhou Kanejyuu-gama Sosen-gama Kayama-gama Sozan-you Kinpou-gama Suihou Kouchi-gama Toujyu-en Kouseki-gama Tsubaki-gama Maeyama-gama Yuuho-gama Maru-gama Yuzan-gama Midori-gama (or Bakuzan-gama)   There are whole books devoted to kamajirushi for individual potters such as Kogei Shuppan's Gendai no Tougei East and West and others showing the thousands of marks which have been used throughout the centuries here. A good resource of kamajirushi is essential for any collector or scholar of Japanese pottery. Other Kamajirushi Bizen Kiln Markings Karatsu Kiln Markings