Japanese Bonsai Potters
My greatest apologies.
It has been a very long time since I was able to last update this website. Many of you will know the other project that takes up all of my time!
I have however decided to update, re-organise, and improve this reference site. I am still avidly collecting great Japanese & European bonsai pots, as well as yunomi and keeping to my trees. We are all constantly learning, and new realisations come to light, so I will endeavour to work on improving this site as much as time will allow.
Many thanks, Alex. 10.7.'24
It has been a very long time since I was able to last update this website. Many of you will know the other project that takes up all of my time!
I have however decided to update, re-organise, and improve this reference site. I am still avidly collecting great Japanese & European bonsai pots, as well as yunomi and keeping to my trees. We are all constantly learning, and new realisations come to light, so I will endeavour to work on improving this site as much as time will allow.
Many thanks, Alex. 10.7.'24
Banko shunzanBanko Shunzan was born in Yokkaichi, Mie prefecture in 1936.
He started creating bonsai pots from around 1970. The pots that I have come across have all been accent, mame, or shohin sized, and his glazed pots are especially popular, with some fine colours. |
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BigeiHirata Atsumi is a very popular potter from Tokoname. He produced mostly unglazed shohin, & some chuhin sized pots. Often classical in design, and beautifully constructed. He is best known for his distinctive shudei (vermilion clay) with its burnished finish. He also produces some glazed pots, and his recent work is decorative, with for example, beautiful landscape etchings, carvings, and relief work.
Born in 1939, Bigei taught himself the art of ceramics from age 19. He established his own kiln in 1975. The pots marked merely '山水作' - 'San Sui made', are some of the very rarest, as can be seen under 'Bigei painted pots'. A definite favourite, great value, mid-price range potter. |
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BikoHorie Biko(h) was born in 1939, and is a master craftsman with over half a century of experience. In 1963 Biko began making pots, and has won many awards, including at the Kobachi exhibition. He is better known for his bright coloured containers, such as those with his signature origami crane motif.
Clean, crisp designs. Some of the larger shohin pots can be quite expensive. |
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BunzanKaoru Ito's potter name is Bunzan, and the wares are 'Echizen' yaki from Fukui prefecture on Honshu Island (Echizen region).
He is now retired, but his pots remain popular both in Japan and in the West. E. Bunzan made mostly shohin and mame sized pots, with some chuhun, and mostly in whimsical and fun glazes, some of which are quite garish. Great value potter. |
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BushuanBushuan's real name is Shigeru Fiduka, and he produces some of the most incredible thick drippy glazes about. His work has been compared to that of the late, great, Heian Tofukuji, and his variety of pot form makes for some extremely desirable containers.
Bushuan gave up his profession as a racing car driver to become a potter, and has become one of the most successful of his time. He has had a few students, some very successful in their own right, such as Sharaku. Many potters try to emulate his glazes and style. The pots speak for themselves! |
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Eimei ( Yozan kiln)Eimei - Hideaki Shimizu, is the son of Youzan, and his pots are made in the Youzan kiln. Eimei is an up and coming, relative new comer, who's work and popularity seem to have surpassed that of their father's. He has won prestigious awards, such as in the small bowl category of the Gafu-ten.
These represent great value pots, some with interesting forms and vibrant drippy glazes. A good value and popular potter. |
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Echizen Hosui 越前芳水Now in his 80's, Echizen Hosui was born 'Zenzo Yoshida' in Fukui Prefecture in 1936.
He is most notably known for his excellent brushwork in his painted pots, although he is also a very talented glaze artist. Hosui often 'copied' works of other artists, be that out of respect or otherwise - here for example is a pot made in homage to the great Tsukiana Yusen, the original of which can be seen in Kobayashi's 'Pot Book'. Mostly shohin and smaller, Hosui also produced some chuhin sized pots, which are fairly rare. Hosui is not as celebrated as some in the West, although I expect this not to be the case for much longer. |
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GyounYasui Gyoun is a well known potter who makes sought after mame and shohin glazed pots.
He was born into a pottery family, his father Alatillo also producing bonsai pottery. I adore the glazes and build quality of these useable small pots. Most are value to medium price range. |
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GyouzanGenerally considered the best living Japanese potter for unglazed pots, Yukizyou Nakano, and his son-in-law Yuuji Nakano, of the Gyouzan kiln, Tokoname, do also produce some superb glazed pots. Yuuji has now however stopped production.
Yukizyou Nakano (referred to in Japan as 'Nakano 'Arukisan'), was born in 1940. He is a true master of his craft and works display superb detail and refinement in design and finish. The highest quality hand made range, sport drainage holes often in quirky shapes and arranged in patterns, and the undersides of the pots often show great attention to detail. Medium to very expensive. Some large Gyouzan pots sell for 10's of thousands of pounds. |
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HaruyoshiHaruyoshi is best known for his painted pots, although they are hard to get hold of! Definitely a modern day master!
His real name is Yoshiaki Azeyanagi and he is from the Anjo Aichi, near to Tokoname. He learned his pot making skills from Harumatsu 3rd (Kazumi Mizuno) at the Harumatsu kiln, and his painting skills from Shikao Mizuno (Tossup) (both of the Mizuno family of Seto). In 2004, after Harumatsu retired, Haruyoshi returned to Anjo to open his own kiln. He has developed his own very unique style, which is well recognised and sought after in Japan and worldwide. He is one of the current masters of painted Japanese pottery, but he also makes some stunning glazed pots - some if which have quite whimsical designs. |
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HattoriHattori is one of Japan's most prolific bonsai potters. He studied at, and graduated from Koblenz University of Applied Sciences' Institute of Artistic ceramics, in Germany, and was working for a German company, when, in 1977 he started to make bonsai pots. He showed his pots for the first time at the National Zenkoku Shobachi Meisakuten Exhibition in 1980, and has since won many awards.
His hand signed pots are hand made by him, and glazed by him, and they display a variety of shapes and often have details such as cut corners, and sashes/bands. The many glazes he produces are recognisable as Hattori's, yet often have unique variations from the kiln. Hattori pots are great value, well made and very useable, with some older handmade gems to be found. Modern production pots go for £30 to £60, and you can expect to pay over £150 for an older handmade piece. |
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Heian KosenAnother popular mid range Tokoname potter with superb glazes and well constructed pots.
Kosen, real name Yoshikazu Hashimoto, was born in 1933 in Kyoto. He was self taught, and has been making pots since 1965, and is another potter aspiring to the glazes of the great Heian Tofukuji. Originally he used a climbing kiln, until pollution control changed that. He passed away in 2014. Prices range from £40 to £70 for a good shohin pot, and £100 to £250 for a quality older chuhin pot. |
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Ichiyo (Ito Gekko's teacher)Sansyu Ichiyo was born in 1902, in Aichi prefecture. He was a self taught potter, after working in the family China store, and later his own in Tokyo, where he educated and inspired himself with the pottery he sold. His work was much sought after in Japan, and his students include some of Japan's best, including Ito Gekko.
Pots by Ichiyo are quite rare, and therefore at a higher price level. Ichiyo passed away in 1985, and his pots are collectors items. |
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IkkouIkkou, real name Kazuhiro Watanabe（渡辺一弘）is a very popular and well regarded potter.
His father is the master potter 'Shouzan' (Akira/Masami Watanabe), and his mother 'Fusyu'. He celebrated his 60th birthday this November of 2016! (born in 1956) Apparently ... his sign; 一弘 can also read as Ikkou, so he became known as Ikkou, which led him to change his potter name to Ikkou (壱興). Therefore his older work may be signed 一弘造印, (Kazuhiro made), and newer works are usually signed 壱興造記, (Ikkou made.) Very popular and well made pots, mostly glazed shohin containers, but also unglazed and chuhin sized pots. His glazes are superb, and he does an oribe glaze to rival those of Koyo, or Ino. Shohin pots in this collection generally go for £75 to £150, with special or larger pieces going for up to £300. |
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InoThe current Shukuho, Ino Shukuho is the 3rd generation in a succession of successful potters. Ino Shukuho was born in Kyoto in 1943, and produces top quality, sought after and completely hand made pots.
Most are beautifully glazed shohin pots. Chuhin and painted pots are rarer, however his painted pots are superbly detailed, and are up there with the greats. The second generation Shukuho was actually friends with Tofukuji and they used the same kiln. His version of the oribe glaze, with the underglaze of green and/or blue, with silver overglaze and crystal formation, is amongst the best around. Mid to upper price range. (£75 to £500) |
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IshitsukiI have only seen this one pot by Ishitsuki, and I want to see more! Stunning .. and great value.
Ishitsuki means 'growing in a rock', so i imagine this is his potter name. I am yet to discover his real name. |
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IssoIsso created beautiful glazed smaller sized shohin pots.
They are sought after and great value from £40 to £75. Munakata Isso collaborated at times with Mayu Isso, where Mayu painted Isso's containers. |
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Ito TonyoBrother to the infamous Ito(h) Gekko(u), Tonyo's parents (Ito Shiko;mother, and Ito Tankyou;father) were also both professional potters, so pottery is in his blood.
Although Tonyo initially made many of the pots that his brother painted, and is a fantastic potter in his own right, he never quite made the same accolade as his brother, who is one of the world's most revered painter of bonsai ceramics. Tonyo's works tend to be small, but very precise and well built, with clean lines and superb detail and glazes. I have used a few for my mame and smaller shohin. |
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JukoJuko, real name Kuniaki Aiba, was born in 1973, and is the son of one of Japan's most famous potters; Koyo (Koichiro Aiba).
He recently took over from his father as head of the Koyo kiln in Tokoname, after studying at Shizuoka University. He is now in his own right a very popular potter with classic and more varied forms and stunning glazes. His father taught him well! These are around £60 to £200. |
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KawadaYoshiyuki Kawada is an excellent creator of mostly mame pots. Superbly crafted very small pots, with stunning glazes.
Pots range from £25 to over £150. |
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KimikoKimiko Matsui was born in 1929, and began pottery in 1973. She is the wife of Tojaku, and although she was initially self-taught, later she also learnt much from her husband.
The pots I have seen, glazed, unglzaed, and painted, have all been quite delicate and feminine in form. I would love to see more of her work! |
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KinshoenThe only Kinshoen I have seen. This pot is an older pot made with a good quality clay, and is reasonably priced for a quality vintage container at just over £100.
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KoyoKoichirou Aiba is one of Japan's most popular potters. He was born in 1944, and is currently retired. He is husband to 'Kouso', and father to 'Juko' (Kuniaki Aiba), who now runs the Koyo kiln, which he built in 1970.
He was from a family of potters, albeit not of bonsai containers. He is most famous for his superb oribe yu glazes, which can arguably rival those of Ino Shukuho, and Heian Tofukuji. However he does also produces superb unglazed pots, as well as suiban, and some beautiful pots with carved motifs. The Japanese fan stamp (or ginko leaf?!) are his best pots, and are often carved from a single block of clay, unique glazes, and more detailed designs. Most of these pots are £60 to £150, with a few top quality pots worth up to £400. |
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Lmaoka MachinaoOne of my favourite makers of mame pots, Machinao produced beautifully crafted pots with superb glazes, including the brain/apricot skin glaze.
He was born in 1925 in Tokyo, and started making pots aged 29, in 1964. He passed away in the 90's. For their size, these pots are a little more expensive, at £75 to £400 for a special and boxed brain skin glaze example. |
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OgurayamaOgurayama - or Karahashi Homiyabi was born in Kyoto in September, 1920 and has been making bonsai pots since the mid 1970's. He became well known & revered after entering and winning the National Masterpiece Kobachi Exhibition in 1981. His works had been used consistently at top Japanese exhibitions since.
A great potter, very varied in his talents, and a definite favourite. His mame and shohin pots are beautifully glazed, carved and painted in a number of different styles, and can be picked up for between £60 to over £600. |
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RiehoLower to mid range pots. Many larger ovals with nice glazes.
Shohin pots are £50 to £80, and chuhin pots £70 to £160 |
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RyugakuGreat quality, mid to low value containers. These for example were £30 to £60.
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JusekiBeautifully made, with stunning glazes, these mid range pots are c. £70 to £120.
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Satomi TerahataSuperb glazes by the daughter of Mazan Terahata, who has surpassed her father's popularity.
Great value mid range pots. Most are £50 to £80, with rarer or larger pieces up to £300. |
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Ishida ShosekiThe mother in law and teacher of Yuki Shoseki, Ishida produces quality mid range containers with varying glazes, and some beautiful painted pieces.
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ShouzanThe father of Ikkou, Akira Watanabe makes superb pots, with top quality clay, great attention to detail, and wonderful glazes.
Prices are mid to high range, with a glazed vintage shohin pot at around £150 to £200. |
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SharakuStudent of Kunio Kobayashi and of Bushuan, Sharaku is a fantastic potter, mostly of glazed shohin pots. He has a distinctive almost contemporary style and produces some incredible glazes.
His pots are rising in value, and are in the mid to high price range, with these pots ranging from £70 to £400. |
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ShibakatsuGenerally lower to mid price range pots, but good quality and varied in style, and in quality.
These glazed pots go for £30 to £130. |
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ShuhuHidemi Kataoka is a 3rd generation potter from Tokoname. His pots are great value, and he is known for his superb glazes.
His grandfather Yoshimura Kataoka opened the Yoshimura kiln, which Hidemi still uses. These are great value mid range pots, ranging from £50 for a small shohin pot to £500+ for a larger vintage chuhin pot. |
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ShungoPots by Hanasaki Shungo are quite rare to come by. I love the thin, quality clay, the detail in the pots, and the superb glazes.
Prices are mid to high. Shohin pots can be picked up from £50 to £100. Special / rarer examples can however be quite a bit more. |
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Takao KoyoGlazed and painted pots by Takao are mid price range, very useable, and well constructed.
Prices are mid ranged, with shohin pots at around £70 to £100, and painted pots being c. £200 to £300. |
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Tani RanzanA favourite potter of mine. Tani creates detailed carved, painted and glazed materpieces, from the very small to chuhin sized pieces.
Prices are very reasonable, and have been rising. His fantastic unglazed carved pieces, and his mame painted pots can be picked up for under £100, while carved and / or painted shohin pots are approx. £175 to £300. |
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Heian TofukujiRecognised as the pinnacle of Japanese design and aestetics in bonsai pottery, The late Tofukuji is arguably Japans most popular potter ever.
These are a higher price level, with some pots selling for tens of thousands of pounds. |
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H. Tofukuji JuniourTofukuji's son has definatley picked up much of his father's talent, and produces a wide variety of good quality, mostly mame and shohin pots. These are more affordable mid range pots, coming in at c. £100 to £200.
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TosuiThe Tosui kiln comprises 2 generations of potter, and pots are generally reasonable to mid range.
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TadahiroA little known potter to me. I love the pots that I have sen by him, and I intend on finding out more. Pots are mid price range.
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WajakuWajaku is one of the finest creators of shohin pots.
Pots are all hand carved from a single block of clay, and are beautifully detailed and well constructed. Unglazed shohin pots range from £250 to £700. The glazed pots are rarer, and range from £200, and particularly fine examples can command a thousand pounds, or two! |
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YaeYae, the wife of popular Tokoname potter; Izumi ya of the Zenigo kiln, produces rustic pieces both glazed and glazed. Her pots are reasonably priced.
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YamaakiThere are 3 generations within the Kataoka family, and this kiln produced good quality wares within all price ranges. An unglazed shohin by 3rd generation Toshio Kataoka can be purchased for £50. A vintage pot by Akitsuga Kataoka may be a few hundred however.
The kiln closed in 2011 |
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Yamafusa Takehiko Koie, aka 'Yamafusa', is a well known, good quality, production grade potter, who also produces some great and varied individual pieces. Prices are in the more affordable range.
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YozanYouzan, Mr Shimizu Masakasu, is the father of the popular potter 'Eimei'. He himself is a well regarded potter and his kiln produces a range of quality, generally mid-price range pots. Some of his glazes, especially his version of the Namako glaze, are quite sublime.
Yozan pots are another well known, largely production grade product, however some superb drippy and Namako glazes can be found. |
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ZyubeiShigeru Zyubei is another potter that produces pots with thick drippy running glazes. He is from Osaka, and produces superb coloured glazes reminiscent of some of the masters.
Rarer to find, these beautiful pots fall within the medium to more expensive range. |
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