BIGEI 美芸 (Hirata Atsumi 平田あつみ) – 常滑 – 12.2cm Round (丸鉢) Unglazed Brown Clay (茶泥・無釉) Landscape Carved (山水彫刻)

BIGEI 美芸 (Hirata Atsumi 平田あつみ) – 常滑 Tokoname (常滑市) – 12.2cm Round (丸鉢) Unglazed Brown Clay (茶泥・無釉) Landscape Carved (山水彫刻)

Product Details

Region: Tokoname 常滑市

Kiln: BIGEI 美芸

Potter: Hirata Atsumi 平田あつみ

A finely handcrafted Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼) bonsai pot by the renowned Hirata Atsumi (平田あつみ), working under the respected BIGEI (美芸) kiln. This elegant round bonsai pot (丸鉢) is distinguished by its beautifully hand-carved Sansui (山水) landscape decoration, depicting mountains, trees and flowing scenery inspired by traditional Japanese landscape paintings.

The pot features a refined internal rim (内縁) with clean vertical walls rising to a gently rounded rim, creating a simple yet elegant cylindrical profile without an external lip. Beneath the carved body is a finely executed double lower band (二重下帯), adding subtle architectural definition while reinforcing the balanced proportions (均整) characteristic of fine Tokoname craftsmanship.

Encircling the body is an exquisitely hand-incised Sansui-bori (山水彫刻) landscape, depicting rolling mountains, distant trees and flowing scenery, possibly inspired by Mt. Fuji (富士山) and the surrounding countryside. The delicate low-relief carving catches the light beautifully, revealing the remarkable control and artistry of Hirata Atsumi.

The warm brown shudei clay (茶泥) displays attractive natural firing tones (焼色) with a soft satin surface that has matured beautifully over time. The pot has developed an appealing natural patina (経年変化) together with a rich fuai (風合い), enhancing the depth and warmth of the clay while preserving every detail of the finely carved landscape.

The pot is supported by three integrated feet (一体型足), carefully formed as a natural continuation of the lower body. Following the circular curvature of the pot, they blend seamlessly into the double lower band (二重下帯), providing excellent stability while preserving the uninterrupted flow of the design.

The interior is cleanly finished and fitted with one central drainage hole (排水穴) together with three wiring holes (針金穴), providing excellent functionality for bonsai cultivation.

The underside bears the impressed BIGEI (美芸) kiln seal, confirming its production by Hirata Atsumi.

External dimensions: 12.2 × 12.2 × 4.0 cm

Internal dimensions: 10.6 × 10.6 × 3.1 cm

Condition: Excellent!

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About the Potter – BIGEI 美芸 (Hirata Atsumi 平田あつみ)

Hirata Atsumi (平田あつみ, born 1939) is one of Tokoname’s most respected contemporary bonsai potters, producing work under the kiln name BIGEI (美芸). He began making bonsai ceramics during the late 1950s before establishing himself in Tokoname in 1969.

BIGEI pots are admired for their functional excellence (用の美), restrained forms, elegant proportions (均整) and quiet refinement. Working primarily in both unglazed shudei (朱泥・茶泥) and carefully controlled glazed finishes, Hirata creates containers that enhance the bonsai rather than compete with it.

Collector’s Notes (収集家のコメント)

Landscape-decorated Sansui (山水) bonsai pots by BIGEI are less commonly encountered than his plain utilitarian forms and are highly appreciated by collectors. This example combines refined Sansui-bori (山水彫刻), matured tea-brown shudei clay (茶泥), attractive keinen henka (経年変化), a crisp BIGEI (美芸) seal and three integrated feet that follow the circular profile of the pot.