Yamaaki - One of the Kataoka families.
Yamaaki toen (kiln) was once the most prolific of the Tokoname kilns, producing fine and mass produced bonsai wares for almost a century until it's closure in 2011. Yamaaki toen was founded in the mid 1920's by Akiji Kataoka; also known by his potter names 'Shosen' (& previously 'Jyuudo'), who passed away in 1990. Before this, for 2 or 3 years, Akiji san had the 'Kataoka' kiln for c.3 years, and his wares from this period, which are 'true antiques' (100 years old or more) are referred to as 'Kinka' yaki/ ware.
Akiji Kataoka was therefore the 1st generation potter of the Yamaaki kiln. His pots are highly regarded and sought after worldwide.
His son Sadamitsu Kataoka; aka 'Koshosen', took over the running of the kiln next and is the 2nd generation Yamaaki potter. Sadamitsu san was officially designated a 'master of traditional crafts', of which there are only c.14 in Tokoname, and 3600 across the whole of Japan - from all art forms. His pots have incredible diversity and construction. The quality and value are often regarded as greater than that of his father's.
The third and last generation of Yamaaki potter was Toshio Kataoka, the second and much younger son of Akiji Kataoka. Toshio ran the kiln until its closing in 2011.He now is head potter for the Ittoen' kiln.
Each generation of potter had their own style and designs, yet all remain very recognisable as Yamaaki style and finishes. The pots tend to be traditional in their designs, and made to suit trees. They tend to be useable shibui designs, of good to high quality, are very useable pots. The finer and rarer examples are now becoming very collectible.
* Updated 2.10.24* ... A friend asked me why 'Shosen' is referred to as 'Akiji Kataoka', and sometimes as 'Akitsugi Kataoka'? I have myself referred to him in both ways before.
The answer to this is quite simply .... 15 years ago, when first translated 'for the record', an incorrect reading was used for the 次 kanji character in Akiji Kataoka's name.
In a little more detail ....
Japanese kanji (e.g., 山 - 'mountain') have at least 2 ways of reading. One is the 'old Chinese', and another is the Japanese reading. (Kun'yomi, and On'yomi). The 山 kanji in 山秋 (Yamaaki) for example can be read: Yama, San, or Zan.
Shosen's birth name is 片岡秋次 ... Which is read 'Kata oka Aki Ji'.
片 Kata 岡 Oka is of course his family name - Kataoka. Both Kanji here are read using the 'kunyomi' / Japanese reading (Kata & Oka).
(the 'onyomi' / old chinese readings for these same kanji would be 'Kou Hen', not 'Kata oka' for example). This situation often leads to confusion in 'reading' Japanese.
With his chosen/first birth name however - 秋次 - if you read these kanji as the (same) kunyomi reading, it would read 'Chuu Tsugi'.
The issue kanji: 次(meaning next) can be read as 'ji' (onyomi), or 'tsugi' (kunyomi) - When initially translated, this name must have been translated with 'Aki' & 'Tsugi' as the readings, instead of 'Aki & Ji'. Hence Akitsugi, rather than the correct Akiji.
Problem solved!
Akiji Kataoka was therefore the 1st generation potter of the Yamaaki kiln. His pots are highly regarded and sought after worldwide.
His son Sadamitsu Kataoka; aka 'Koshosen', took over the running of the kiln next and is the 2nd generation Yamaaki potter. Sadamitsu san was officially designated a 'master of traditional crafts', of which there are only c.14 in Tokoname, and 3600 across the whole of Japan - from all art forms. His pots have incredible diversity and construction. The quality and value are often regarded as greater than that of his father's.
The third and last generation of Yamaaki potter was Toshio Kataoka, the second and much younger son of Akiji Kataoka. Toshio ran the kiln until its closing in 2011.He now is head potter for the Ittoen' kiln.
Each generation of potter had their own style and designs, yet all remain very recognisable as Yamaaki style and finishes. The pots tend to be traditional in their designs, and made to suit trees. They tend to be useable shibui designs, of good to high quality, are very useable pots. The finer and rarer examples are now becoming very collectible.
* Updated 2.10.24* ... A friend asked me why 'Shosen' is referred to as 'Akiji Kataoka', and sometimes as 'Akitsugi Kataoka'? I have myself referred to him in both ways before.
The answer to this is quite simply .... 15 years ago, when first translated 'for the record', an incorrect reading was used for the 次 kanji character in Akiji Kataoka's name.
In a little more detail ....
Japanese kanji (e.g., 山 - 'mountain') have at least 2 ways of reading. One is the 'old Chinese', and another is the Japanese reading. (Kun'yomi, and On'yomi). The 山 kanji in 山秋 (Yamaaki) for example can be read: Yama, San, or Zan.
Shosen's birth name is 片岡秋次 ... Which is read 'Kata oka Aki Ji'.
片 Kata 岡 Oka is of course his family name - Kataoka. Both Kanji here are read using the 'kunyomi' / Japanese reading (Kata & Oka).
(the 'onyomi' / old chinese readings for these same kanji would be 'Kou Hen', not 'Kata oka' for example). This situation often leads to confusion in 'reading' Japanese.
With his chosen/first birth name however - 秋次 - if you read these kanji as the (same) kunyomi reading, it would read 'Chuu Tsugi'.
The issue kanji: 次(meaning next) can be read as 'ji' (onyomi), or 'tsugi' (kunyomi) - When initially translated, this name must have been translated with 'Aki' & 'Tsugi' as the readings, instead of 'Aki & Ji'. Hence Akitsugi, rather than the correct Akiji.
Problem solved!
Glazed pots. Please click here for Yamaaki Unglazed pots. (To be added)
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D417 -A kinyo glazed pot with plenty of patina. This pot has a subtle mokko design, and nice floral raised pattern.
c. 33cm |
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D465 -A beautifully formed oval with kinyo glaze and patina building. 2nd generation. Large shohin / chuhin size
c. 21.5cm |
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D467 -A wonderful bag style round pot with Shiro glaze and loads of patina by Koshosen (2nd gen).
Note the contrast between the darker and cleaner area under the rim where patina hasn't developed. c. 8cm |
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D494 -A 2nd gen' rectangle with cut corners and beautiful glaze. Approx. 30-40 years of patina build up.
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D497 -A chuhin sized round pot with steep sloping sides and a kinyo glaze.
c. 31cm. |
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D519 -A 1st generation (Akiji) Yamaaki pot with a rarely used stamp that is at least 50 years old.
This pot has some prominence having been shown at the US Nationals. The clay colour is rarely used for glazed pots, but this has a very light coating of glaze and decades of patina. c. 45cm |
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D563 -A beautiful yellow rectangle with recessed panel and stylish feet details. The design of this pot is one modified from an antique classic. By 3rd Gen' Yamaaki potter, Toshio Kataoka.
c. 29cm |
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D731 -A shohin sized rectangle with cut corner detail. Kinyo glaze, and some patina building.
c.13.5cm |
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D835 -A stunning antique mirror style pot by with beautiful kinyo glaze. 2nd gen'.
c. 36cm. |
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D879 -A superb rectangle chuhin with cloud detail etched into stepped block feet, and captivating midnight blue glaze. A stunning pot!
c. 40cm. |
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D893 -A deep rectangle with beautiful green glaze with yellow highlights
c. 15.6cm. |
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D902 -A chuhin rectangle with kinyo glaze and elegant design including recessed panel and decorative feet.
c. 32cm. |
D951 -A Larger oval with a kinyo glaze.
c. 45cm |
D958 -Large oval in a shiro glaze with raised flower motiff. 2nd gen.
c. 32cm. |
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D1240 -A vintage oval which, originally baby blue in colour, has a deep patina through decades of use.
c. 33cm |
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D1293 -A vibrant green glazed rectagle with raised floral motif.
c. 28cm |
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D1316 -A vintage 1st gen (Akiji Kataoka) drum pot with red slip glaze splashed over.
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D1460 -A beautifully glazed rectangle with an almost namako glazed body of brown and black, with a basal band of rich cream, and subtle red accents between.
12cm. |