BIGEI 美芸 (Hirata Atsumi 平田あつみ) – 常滑 – 10.6 × 8.0 cm Round Unglazed 丸鉢・無釉

Product Details:
Region: Tokoname 常滑市
Kiln: Bigei 美芸
Potter: Hirata Atsumi 平田あつみ

A refined vintage Japanese bonsai pot by Bigei (美芸), produced in Tokoname and stamped to the base. This is a round form (marubachi 丸鉢) with gently flared walls and a softly rolled rim (kuchi-en 口縁), creating a calm yet dignified silhouette.

The body features an elegant pierced openwork band (sukashi 透かし), composed of repeating four-petal floral motifs (hana-mon 花文) arranged around the mid-section. These openings provide both visual lightness and excellent aeration, while maintaining strong structural balance. A subtle incised line defines the upper shoulder, separating the rim from the body and adding quiet refinement.

The clay is a dark, iron-rich Tokoname body, unglazed (muyu 無釉), with a smooth, compact surface that has developed a deep, natural patina (furu-aji 古味) over time. The color shows warm brown tones with soft highlights where handled, characteristic of well-fired Tokoname ware.

The interior displays finely tooled vertical combing (kushime 櫛目) along the inner wall, enhancing root grip and drainage efficiency. The base is well finished, with a clean foot ring and three small, sculpted feet carved in a stylized cloud form (kumo-ashi 雲足), giving the pot a lifted, elegant stance without appearing heavy.

Drainage consists of one central water hole with three smaller auxiliary holes suitable for wiring (mizunuki ana 水抜き穴 / naewire ana 針金穴), making this pot practical as well as decorative.

External dimensions: 10.6 × 8.0 cm
Internal dimensions: 8.7 × 6.7 cm

Condition: Excellent.
No cracks or repairs. Minor kiln and age marks consistent with vintage Tokoname production.

Free shipping to mainland UK on this pot.

About Bigei (Hirata Atsumi, 美芸 / 平田あつみ)

Bigei, real name Hirata Atsumi, is one of Tokoname’s most respected bonsai potters. Known for his distinctive vermilion (shudei 朱泥) and elegant glazed pieces, he is especially revered in the shohin bonsai world for his craftsmanship and quiet artistic vision.

Born in 1939, Bigei began his ceramic career in 1958. He moved to Tokoname in 1969 with no family background in pottery — his father was a carpenter — and began a tough apprenticeship at a large kiln, working for four years for only food and shelter. Despite the hardships and being an outsider, Bigei persevered, eventually establishing his own studio in 1976. He is the only well-known Tokoname potter to have built his reputation entirely through independent effort, rising from nothing — 徒手空拳 toshukūken (with bare hands).

As of the last known update in 2017, Bigei had reduced production, making pots only for himself or close friends.

Additional Notes on Bigei’s Work:

Style & Materials:

Bigei is most known for his shaded vermilion (shudei) unglazed pieces, often finished with burnishing (磨き migaki). He also creates glazed works with deep character, often decorated with nail carving (釘彫り kugibori), brush sketches, and reliefs.

Sansui Pots (山水鉢):

Under the name Sansui (山水), Bigei produces painted pots with traditional Chinese-style mountain and water landscapes (山水画 sansuiga), often in ink or enamel glazes.

Shohin Specialization (小品盆栽鉢):

Bigei’s work in the shohin scale is particularly admired. His attention to proportion and surface finish makes his small pots prized for high-level bonsai display.

Reference: Holvila Bonsai Pot Interview with Bigei (2017)

An excellent interview that captures his story, artistic integrity, and the challenges he overcame during the “golden days” of Tokoname bonsai pottery.