Takemi Seto’s journey into ceramics commenced during his studies in sculpture at Tokyo Zokei University, followed by further education at Aichi Prefectural Ceramics Training School, where he delved into the shino, oribe, and ki-seto glazes. His fascination deepened after discovering a ceramic history book in Yokohama, prompting him to venture into the complexities of tenmoku glazes, culminating in the creation of his nogime tenmoku, or hare’s fur, in 1990. Encouraged by this success, Seto undertook the daunting challenge of recreating yōhen tenmoku, a rare style known for its vibrant, star-like patterns on the surface. Taking cues from the Jian kilns in Fujian Province, China, he researched and experimented in capturing the elusive charm of this ancient technique. Presently, Japan possesses only three yōhen tenmoku teabowls, each bestowed with the prestigious title of National Treasure. Historically believed to originate from the Jian-yao kilns in Fujian during the Song dynasty, these revered artifacts hold significant cultural value. In 2002, Seto crafted his interpretation of a yōhen tenmoku teabowl, adorned with luminous iridescent stars in shades of blue and rainbow hues. Featured alongside one of these national treasures in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Japan’s Wall Street Journal), Seto’s work reflects his relentless pursuit of perfection in the realm of yōhen tenmoku ceramics.