Pots from Japan

[Scott Martin]

When I was recently in Japan I managed to pick up a few pots that I found quite special.

This first pot was from the nursery where I was staying and working, Aichi-en. I spoke with Peter Tea (http://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/ ) and mentioned I was after an old pot, not antique Chinese as I would not be able to afford that so he found this one for me.

I'm told it is antique Japanese and approximately 100 years old. This one came back in my carry on luggage just to make sure that it wasn't damaged due to rough handling at the airport.

It is 250 x 165 x 85mm from outside lip and has great patina on it. The colour is beautiful.

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[Jow]

Great patina Scott! It looks like it is quite a usable size and shape aswell which is a bonus! I am now trying to buy pots that i can easily use as opposed those that adorn my shelves.

Its good to see more people becoming interested in Japanese and chinese pots!

I managed to pick up a chinese antique pot when i was in Japan this last Christmas. I had always wanted a cream one and finally found one that was both a good price and a good size.

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Some more pics are on my blog. HERE

[Scott Martin]

I agree and that pot is great. How big is it?

From having spent time with Peter Tea and Mr Tanaka I now have a far greater appreciation for the antique pots, especially after carry one for a customer that was valued at $30,000! They didn't tell me until I'd almost put it back into the crate.

Here's another Tokoname pot that is about 40 years old. I like it because it is an unusual shape and very strong and thick. 185 x 155 x 85mm.

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[Jow]

I agree and that pot is great. How big is it?

From having spent time with Peter Tea and Mr Tanaka I now have a far greater appreciation for the antique pots, especially after carry one for a customer that was valued at $30,000! They didn't tell me until I'd almost put it back into the crate.

The pot (from memory) is about 350mm/250mm. Chuhin sized.

Antique pots are beautiful and the patina most of them have aquired is something that cannot be matched with younger pottery. That said there are many modern pots by modern makers that are very beautiful and hard not to want to collect.

I think a lot of the time a 'young' looking or poor quality pot insults good trees. An old tree should have an old pot and a good quality tree deserves a good quality pot. One nursery owner i talked too once said that often a tree can be improved just by adding a good quality pot.

For those looking for not so expensive Japanese pots it might be worth reading THIS. Its from the JAPANESE BONSAI POTS blog which is probably one of the best places to get english information on Japanese and Chinese potters and a great read.

If you do go down these 'bang for buck' route you will find that patina will develop in a relatively short time, but it will be a long, long time before it is rich and dark like the above pots. Oh and for those chasing the patina train, always keep you pots under your benches as that way they will develop patina even when empty.

Joe.

[Jow]

Here's another Tokoname pot that is about 40 years old. I like it because it is an unusual shape and very strong and thick. 185 x 155 x 85mm.

Great usable size again. I really like those square squat pots for semi cascade trees. They can be hard to find though so nice pickup. the red clay ages really nicely aswell so somthing to look forward to over the next 40 years of its life.

[Scott Martin]

I did get a newer Tokoname pot also that took my fancy. This one is super smooth and is a great colour. It's 165mm across and 50mm high.

It's just starting to develop patina on the lip.

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[Jow]

THat last pot looks a bit like Bigei in style and the stamp, but its hard to see the chop clearly and his pots are often characterised by a raked inner surface which this one doesnt have. Thats not to say it isnt bigei but its hard to be 100%

Nice pot either way!

[Scott Martin]

Here's a nice little pot that I picked up. We were at another bonsai nursery and there were racks and racks of used pots that you could dig through. It was like a treasure hunt for old pots.

This one cost 2000 yen which is about $25. It's dimensions are 95 x 95 x 65mm. It was the sketches that attracted me to this as well as being very sturdy.

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I've got another 3 pots being shipped over with one being a very large blue pot so I'll post more pics when they arrive.

[JR_J]

Hi Scott,
Great pots, I've told you before your trip that we envy you, having seen the pots now is just confirming it. If we ever make it to Japan, Marlene has to tie my hands into my pockets!

I like Joe’s pot too - just love nice pots, full stop.

Cheers, Rudi

[Jow]

Here's a nice little pot that I picked up. We were at another bonsai nursery and there were racks and racks of used pots that you could dig through. It was like a treasure hunt for old pots.

This one cost 2000 yen which is about $25. It's dimensions are 95 x 95 x 65mm. It was the sketches that attracted me to this as well as being very sturdy.

Another nice choice. Its always nice to get pots that have had some use and already feel a little aged. I look forward to seeing your pots that are being shipped!

[Scott Roxburgh]

Nice buys, that last one looks like Bigei too?

[Jow]

Nice buys, that last one looks like Bigei too?

Yep i think your right.

[Scott Roxburgh]

Not to Barge-in but my bro recently bought this pot, and a few others, back from Seiji Morimae's store in Ginza, Tokyo.

Really poor photography, and maker is unknown?

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[daiviet_nguyen]

Hi Scott,

Thank you for the post. I like looking at these pots

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I've got another 3 pots being shipped over with one being a very large blue pot so I'll post more pics when they arrive.

How did you find the freight cost?

I had one ordered from Japan. The cost of the pot itself is affordable, the freight + package + insurance was more than double the cost of the pot. But it took only 4 working days to get to Melbourne.

Cheers Scott.

[Scott Martin]

Yeah the freight cost is expensive but the way I look at it is that I just cannot access these type of pots locally so when I consider the cost of the pot I now just automatically include the freight.

I have got a range of different freight options available too after some investigation and I find that packing a few pots together brings down the freight unit cost per item.

I'm going to organise to get some more antique Japanese pots shipped over too so I'll post some pics of those when I have them.