In today’s post we’ll take a look at a few more pots from my collection.  Its been awhile!  Spring has sprung here, so between repotting and spring bonsai work, and working on some articles for Peter Krebs’ excellent website, I have not had a free moment to snap photos or blog.  So, in recompense, I’ll be posting 2 posts today and an additional 2 this week.  Now on to the pots!

Shunka Shozan, 6"

An awesome pot by Shunka Shozan.  Extraordinary thick drippy glaze, wrapped around the bottom and encompassing the feet.  Level with clean lines, bottom band, and cut corners.  I love this pot, its very Tofukuji-esque!  Shozan is a hobby potter, so production is very low, and as a result, theyre hard to find.  I first became aware of his work through a pottery exhibition over a year ago, this is the first Ive seen for sale.

Kaga Syouzan, 3.5" by 2.2"

A sometsuke pot by Kaga Syouzan.  The painting on this piece is nice and detailed, with good depth and use of negative space, and I love the feet!  This pot was featured in a Japanese bonsai pottery book dealing with small pots, as such I suppose it to be one of the better examples of Syouzan’s work.

Ikkou, 6"

A nice shohin Ikkou with a very thick graded blue-green glaze mottled with silver overtones.  This looks more like a Ino Shukuho than many other Ikkous Ive encountered.

Kozan, 2.5"

I know little about this potter, but I believe he is from Kyoto, and I do know that this pot is at least 30-40 years old, and characteristic of his work, as the Japanese gallery books feature similar pots by Kozan, with glazed inlay dragons.  This style is quite popular in the Kyoto region in Japan, and can also be seen in pieces by ino Shukuho and Ami Akira.

Owari Yuho, 3.5" by 2.5"

A nice little Owari Yuho pot featuring the painted geometrics he is famous for.  This pot is early work, and is developing a nice patina.

Itoh Tonyo, 5" by 3"

Porcelain Itoh Tonyo pot with geometric carved center band, bottom band, and lip.  Very nice porcelain work, bone white, from Tonyo(brother of Itoh Gekkou, whose marvelous painted pots we’ve seen here in the past).

Ikkou, 5"

And we’ll finish up today’s post with a wonky little Ikkou.  While this pot isn’t signed, its obviously an Ikkou from the characteristic Ikkou glaze and clay.  This pot was a gift from traveler and bonsai lover Kora Dalager, who many of you may know if youve ever been to Japan on one of Bill Valavanis’s trips.  It was purchased from Ikkou directly at the kiln.(thanks Kora!)

Next up: Western Potters in my collection!  Thanks for reading!