The artist, Suzuki Katsukata, was the oldest son of Hagiya Katsuhei (Katsuhira) who was one of the most important Mito metal artists during the Bakumatsu period, among whose pupils was Unno Shomin.
Katsukata was born in 1827 in Mito and after marrying he adopted his wife's name.
After the ban against carrying swords in 1876 he moved to Tokyo and died there in 1886