Description
This flat rectangular shohin bonsai pot is a refined example of Aiba Koyo’s craftsmanship, finished in his iconic Oribe green glaze. Known for its vivid depth and traditional aesthetic, the glaze gives this pot a luminous, almost glass-like surface with natural tonal variation — reminiscent of the finest antique Chinese ceramics.
Flat pots like this are prized for shohin trees with shallow root systems and excellent nebari. The shape helps emphasize trunk movement and surface roots, while the Oribe glaze provides a rich visual backdrop, ideal for deciduous trees or elegant flowering species.
Features:
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Artisan: Aiba Koyo (Koichiro Aiba)
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Design: Flat rectangular bonsai pot
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Glaze: Oribe green
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Size: Shohin
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Origin: Tokoname, Japan
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Finish: Deep green Oribe glaze with subtle variation
Measurements:
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Outer (l x w x h): 17,0×13,0x3,3cm
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Inner (l x w x h): 15,5×11,5×2,3cm
About Aiba Koichiro
Ceramic Name: Aiba Koyo (相羽鴻陽) Real Name: Aiba Koichiro (相羽鴻一郎, 1944–2022)
Aiba Koichiro was born in 1944 into a family of potters specializing in both tableware and plant containers. His grandfather established the family kiln, and Koichiro continued the tradition by founding Koyo Toen in 1970. Inspired by antique Chinese glazed pottery, he studied under Takeyama Fusazo and developed a wide range of designs across all bonsai pot sizes.
Best known for his mastery of glazes — especially his deep, lustrous green Oribe glaze — Aiba’s work evokes the elegance and balance of Tofukuji-style pottery. His pots are beloved for their practicality, strong aesthetic character, and timeless beauty. Since his passing in 2022, the demand for his work has only grown.
Today, the Aiba family tradition is continued by his son Kuniaki (Juko Koyo) and a third kiln, Momiji-gama, has also been established. Koichiro’s wife produced kusamono pots under the signature こう草.
