The name Nitta Katatsuki is assumed to derive from the name of an early owner; however, the identity of this owner remains unclear. The Yamanoue Sojiki山上宗二記 describes it as the number one katatsuki and one of the tenka ni sanmeibutsu 天下に三名物, or three meibutsu under heaven, along with Hatsuhana and Narashiba.

During the Warring States Period, Otomo Sorin owned this chaire. Upon Hideyoshi becoming kanpaku in 1585, Otomo Sorin presented the Nitta Katatsuki to him along with the Nitari Nasu 似茄子, perhaps to secure an ally against neighboring clans. In return, Hideyoshi gave Otomo Sorin one hundred twenty kan in silver, as well as the Yasui 野洲井teabowl. From this exchange of gifts, we may extrapolate that the value of the Nitta Katatsuki at that time was more than one million dollars in modern currency.

Hideyoshi adored this chaire and used it frequently for his chakai. He used this chaire when he offered tea to the Emperor Ogimachi 正親町天皇 and at other significant chakai, such as the Yamazato Chakai and the Kitano Ochanoyu. Rikyu borrowed and used the Nitta Katatsuki for his personal chakai, as well. According to the Rikyu hyakkaiki 利休百会記, Rikyu is said to have esteemed this chaire as foremost among katatsuki. After Osaka Castle was destroyed in 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered the lacquer artists Fujishige Togen and his son to search for tea utensils in the ashes. Nitta Katatsuki was one of nine chaire recovered and repaired.