A porcelain maker from Takahama, Amakusa Island, Higo Province (Takahama, Amakusa-cho, Amakusa City, Kumamoto Prefecture). Takahama ware was started by a Nagasaki magistrate during or before the Horeki era (1751-64), but the kiln was soon closed down, and the Ueda family is thought to have taken over its management. The Ueda family is presumed to have taken over the kiln and continued to operate it until the Meiji period (1868-1912). In 1804, Kato Tamikichi came to Kyushu to learn the art of porcelain making and became a craftsman under Gensaku, but he left because he was not taught the glaze method. Gensaku did not care a bit, but instead wrote his own recipe for mixing porcelain. (History of Seto Ceramic Industry, History of Ceramic Industry in Early Modern Japan)
