Description
This oval, unglazed bonsai pot exemplifies the refined artistry of Heian Kousen, a highly respected potter from Kyoto, Japan. This small oval bonsai pot features a striking dotted relief encircling the body, adding both texture and visual rhythm. The earthy, weathered surface gives it an aged look, making it especially well-suited for trees that tell a story through their form.
Features:
- Artisan: Heian Kousen
- Design: Oval, unglazed
- Size: Suitable for very small shohin bonsai trees
- Origin: Handcrafted in Kyoto, Japan
Measurements:
- Outer (l x w x h): 9,5 x 8,0 x 2,5 cm
- Inner (l x w x h): 8,5 x 7,0 x 1,5 cm
Ideal for trees such as:
- Cork bark elm (The rough bark complements the tactile surface of the pot.)
- Root-over-rock black pine – The contrast between rugged roots and the structured pot creates a striking effect.
- Windswept juniper – The dynamic movement of the trunk pairs beautifully with the pot’s bold texture.
- Small deciduous trees – Especially those with natural taper and aged bark.
With its low profile and bold presence, this pot commands attention, grounding your shohin bonsai in a compact yet powerful way. It’s the perfect choice for displays that demand visual impact.
About Heian Kousen:
Born in 1933, originally named Yoshikazu Hashimoto, he began bonsai as a hobby around 1955. Captivated by noborigama*-fired Tōfukuji pots, he started making bonsai pots on his own around 1965. Committed to traditional climbing kiln firing, he continued working even as many kilns were being shut down, eventually firing his work in the noborigama formerly used by Kanjiro Kawai. He spent two years trying to recreate the signature pear-skin clay (nashiji-dei) of Tōfukuji ware and, unsatisfied with commercial glazes, developed his own using techniques such as kin’yū (even glaze), oribe, shinsya (cinnabar red), and soba glaze. After the closure of a shared kiln, he stopped pottery for a time but resumed in 1982. Still exploring the nuances of noborigama firing, he now primarily makes small bonsai pots. Many of his works reflect his dedication to glazes like oribe, shinsya, kin’yū, and soba.
*A noborigama (climbing kiln) is a traditional wood-fired kiln built on a slope, with multiple chambers stacked uphill. The heat rises through each chamber, allowing for large-scale firing and creating natural variations in texture and color. This method produces unique effects such as ash deposits and flame marks, giving each piece a one-of-a-kind character highly valued by collectors and artists.
