AIBA KOYO – Mr. AIBA Kouichirou（相場 恒一郎）– 常滑 - 20.3 cm Oval Style Glazed 楕円鉢 施釉

KOYO Mr. AIBA Kouichirou – 常滑 – 20.3 cm Oval Style Glazed

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:

This is a refined, artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot by AIBA Kouichirou of the KOYO Kiln in Tokoname, one of Japan’s most respected pottery regions. The pot features a well-proportioned oval form with a subtly flared lip（口縁・こうえん）that enhances both visual balance and structural strength. The internal rim is clean and precise, reflecting careful hand-finishing typical of high-quality 常滑焼 (Tokoname-yaki).

The exterior is covered in a richly textured turquoise–blue-green glaze（青緑釉・せいりょくゆう）with fine kiln speckling and natural variations, giving the surface depth and character. Over time, this glaze has developed a gentle patina that adds warmth and maturity, conveying a quiet wabi-sabi aesthetic（侘寂）highly valued in bonsai culture. A darker glazed band near the lower body subtly grounds the form and visually anchors the pot.

The pot stands on neatly cut, slightly recessed feet（脚付・あしつき）that lift it lightly from the display surface while maintaining stability. The base shows a clearly impressed kiln seal（窯印・かまじるし）, consistent with KOYO workmanship, confirming authenticity. The clay body is fine and dense, with excellent firing control, suitable for long-term bonsai cultivation.

Drainage and wiring holes are well placed and properly sized, ensuring practical functionality without compromising aesthetics. Overall, the pot conveys harmony, balance, and quiet strength, making it especially suitable for refined deciduous trees or elegant evergreen compositions.

External dimensions: 20.3 × 16.7 × 5.9 cm
Internal dimensions: 18.0 × 14.5 × 4.6 cm

Condition: Excellent.

Free shipping with this pot to the UK Mainland  

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.