AIBA KOYO – Mr. AIBA Kouichirou（相場 恒一郎）– 常滑 – 24.4cm Oval 楕円鉢 Oval – 青緑釉 Green–Blue Glaze（双帯・竹意匠 Dual Mid-Band Bamboo Motif）

AIBA KOYO – Mr. AIBA Kouichirou（相場 恒一郎）– 常滑 Tokoname – 楕円鉢 Oval – 青緑釉 Green–Blue Glaze（双帯・竹意匠 Dual Mid-Band Bamboo Motif）– 24.4cm

Product Details:

Region: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture 常滑市
Kiln: KŌYŌ Kiln 鴻陽窯
Potter: AIBA Kouichirou 相場 恒一郎 (1944–2015)

Description:

A refined, vintage artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot by AIBA KOYO, featuring a well-proportioned oval form（楕円形）with a softly defined lip（口縁）that lends a calm yet powerful sense of balance. The exterior is finished in a layered green–blue glaze（青緑釉）, beautifully aged, revealing a rich, natural patina（経年の味わい）developed over decades of careful use.

A distinctive dual mid-band encircles the body, subtly modeled in relief and reminiscent of a bamboo motif（双帯・竹意匠）, adding rhythm and movement to the otherwise serene profile. The clay body shows a fine, slightly groggy texture（土味）, visible beneath the glaze breaks and along the edges, enhancing depth and character.

The pot stands on neatly cut, integrated feet（切足・削り足）, providing stability without visual heaviness. The interior rim is clean and functional, suitable for refined tree placement. The base is thoughtfully designed with two generous drainage holes and two smaller wiring holes（水抜き穴・針金穴）, ensuring excellent horticultural performance.

Overall, this piece exemplifies the Tokoname tradition of understated elegance, where form, glaze, and utility are harmoniously balanced（用と美の調和）.

External dimensions: 24.4 × 19.7 × 8.0 cm
Internal dimensions: 21.7 × 17.2 × 6.1 cm

Condition: Excellent. The glaze shows natural kiln and age character only, with no damage or repairs.

Seal & Signature (Database Record):

The base bears an incised signature 「鴻陽」 and an impressed square kiln seal 「鴻陽」, clearly attributing the work to AIBA KOYO（相場 恒一郎）of the KOYO Kiln, Tokoname.

Free shipping to the UK Mainland for this pot.

About the Potter – KOYO, Mr. AIBA Kouichirou（相場 恒一郎）

Mr. AIBA Kouichirou (相場 恒一郎, 1944–2015) was a respected Tokoname potter working under the kiln name KOYO（鴻陽）, based in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture (愛知県常滑市), one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kiln sites (日本六古窯). His work is closely associated with high-quality bonsai ceramics that emphasize balance, usability, and refined surface treatment.

KOYO pots are known for their strong yet understated forms (造形の安定感), careful attention to proportion (均整), and expressive glazing (釉調の表情). Aiba frequently employed classic Japanese shapes such as mokko (木瓜形), oval (楕円), and rectangular forms, often finished with natural ash-influenced or blue-green glazes (青釉・青緑釉) that mature beautifully over time.

His pots were produced with bonsai cultivation in mind, featuring well-considered drainage and wiring holes (排水穴・針金穴) and finely finished feet (刻み足). The impressed square seal reading 鴻陽 (KŌYŌ) is a hallmark of his kiln and appears on many of his works.

While firmly rooted in Tokoname tradition (常滑焼の伝統), Aiba’s ceramics reflect a quiet individuality, combining functional strength with subtle elegance. His pots continue to be widely appreciated by bonsai practitioners for their reliability, aging character (経年変化), and harmonious pairing with both deciduous and evergreen trees.