Description
This charming oval basket by Bunzan exemplifies the artist’s dedication to hand-formed ceramics. The pot features a rustic, organic silhouette with a gently arched handle, completely devoid of the rigidity found in mold-made wares. The glaze is signature Bunzan: a textured, creamy light blue base enriched with vibrant splashes of purple and darker blue. These flambé-like accents pool beautifully at the base and rim, creating a dynamic interplay of color that mimics the spontaneity of nature.
Given its whimsical basket shape and soft, colorful palette, this vessel is ideally suited for Kusamono (accent plantings), where it can evoke the feeling of a gathered meadow bouquet. It would also serve as an excellent home for a delicate flowering Shohin, such as a Chojubai Quince or a small Star Jasmine, where the purple glaze accents would complement the blooms/foliage. The pot’s rustic texture provides a grounding contrast to refined vegetation.
- Outer dimensions: 15 x 12 x 4 cm
- Inner dimensions: 11 x 11 x 3 cm
- Origin: Japan
- Potter/Kiln: Bunzan
- Condition: Excellent
About the potter:
Bunzan is the trade name of the esteemed potter Kaoru Ito, born in 1949 in Fukui Prefecture (Echizen region). Unlike many production potters, Bunzan is celebrated for eschewing molds, preferring to hand-build his creations to ensure that no two pieces are exactly alike. His work is highly collectible and often compared to the legendary Tofukuji for its bold use of vibrant, polychromatic glazes and playful, unpretentious forms. Now retired, his existing works are increasingly sought after by collectors of modern Japanese bonsai ceramics.
