Kyoto ware (Kyo-yaki) refers broadly to pottery made in Kyoto. In the past, when Kyoto was the capital of the country, the highest quality in all cultural products was sought. Kyoto ware was one such product. In response to demand, it continues today to change and respond in terms of design and variety. This is a work by Ito Tozan I, who is one of the leading ceramic artists of Japan in the late 19th to early 20th century.