My Ceramic Collection (updated 2-19-2012)

I thought it would be fun to share my personal Bonsai pot collection that I am building during my studies in Japan.  There is a featured area and a slideshow area.  As I acquire new pots, I will feature them, then move them into the slideshow.  I have been studying many Japanese and Chinese pots and will be posting information about them in the blog.  Looking under the category section to view more specific topics.

Here are three pots that I picked up recently!

This first pot I got from a local auction in Aichi prefecture.  It’s a old production Yamaki pot and I just fell in love with the shape and color of the clay.  Add the old patina on it and I couldn’t resist!  Base on the patina and the clay used, I would estimate this pot to be about 40-50 years old.

32cm x 23cm x 12cm

Very nice Patina on the top of the pot

Old production Yamaaki

This second pot was a gift from Mr. Tanaka!  Though this pot at one point was broken and repaired, the rarity of it is what makes it special.  Unique features of this pot includes the Sho-sen chop on the bottom and side of the pot, the demon feet and a different clay mixture not normally used at Yamaaki.  Mr. Tanaka says pots like these had to be special ordered.  This pot was made by the old man at Yamakii and is over 80 years old.  Since the pot had a large break in the past, I’m hesitant to grow a bonsai in it, but will definitely be using it as a temporary show pot.

47cm x 33cm x 12cm

Special face on the legs. Many time people refer to them as Demon faces

Only specially made pots have a chop mark on the side

Previously repaired with epoxy. Sho-sen, the old man from Yamaaki

This third pot is not normally a pot I would buy but it was unique because of the lage lips it has.  If you don’t already know, I have a liking of pots that have especially larger then normal lips.  This pot is a Chinese poured pot.  Poured pots are usually massed produced and is basically molten clay that is poured into a mold in the shape of a pot.  Normally these pots are very inexpensive but with the large lip, I had to have it!  I would have to credit Juan for spotting this pot for me at a nursery.  Mr. Tanaka looked at the pot and the first thing he said was, “Wow, that is a cheap pot!” but then he did admit that it was a rare shape.  That works for me!  This pot is about 30 years old.

40cm x 29cm x 5cm

The lip on this pot is 3.5cm!

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