GYOUZAN 1st Gen (Nakano Gyōzan 中野行山)
Product Details:
Region: Tokoname 常滑市
Kiln: Gyouzan Kiln 暁山窯
Potter: 1st Generation Gyouzan (Nakano Gyōzan 中野行山)
Description:
An authentic vintage Japanese bonsai pot by Gyouzan 1st Generation, signed 中野行山造 (Nakano Gyōzan-zō), carved directly into the clay in his distinctive爪描き style. This work exhibits the hallmarks of early Gyouzan craftsmanship: refined balance, purposeful simplicity, and a quietly powerful presence.
The form is a classic rectangular 長方形 silhouette with straight walls 直壁 and a gentle inward taper, achieving excellent proportional harmony. The pot is unglazed 無釉, allowing the natural Tokoname clay 常滑土 to express its warm earthy tone and the subtle texture of the groggy body 荒土. Decades of natural oxidation and handling have produced a rich patina 経年の風合い that enhances its wabi-sabi aesthetic.
The rim is crisp and straight 縁は直線, supported visually by a subtle lower basal band 下見付 running cleanly along the form. The feet 脚 are hand-cut with soft, intentional carving—traditional Gyouzan shaping that reinforces both stability and artistry.
On the underside, the pot features Gyouzan’s unmistakable four-petal drainage cutout 四つ葉透かし, alongside well-placed water holes 水抜き穴 and wiring holes 針金穴. The signature 中野行山造 is deeply and confidently inscribed, confirming the pot as an original work of the first generation.
A superb collector-grade example of early Gyouzan work, prized for its craftsmanship, authenticity, and refined Tokoname character.
External dimensions: 24.8 × 20.0 × 9.0cm
Internal dimensions: 21.5 × 16.5 × 6.6cm
Condition: Excellent!
Collector’s Note: / コレクターズノート
Early works by Gyouzan (暁山) have become increasingly scarce on the market, particularly examples that combine strong form, clean execution, and a rich sense of 土味 (tsuchi-aji) such as this piece. The harmonious balance of proportion, the carefully executed feet (爪描き脚), and the use of classic Tokoname clay exemplify the refined craftsmanship characteristic of first-generation Gyouzan works.
Pieces from this early period are especially valued for their understated elegance (控えめな美) and structural confidence, qualities that have become hallmarks of Nakano Yukizyou’s legacy. This pot embodies the timeless functionality and quiet sophistication that continue to make early Gyouzan ceramics highly sought after by serious collectors and bonsai practitioners worldwide.
