Product Overview:
Region: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture (常滑市)
Kiln: IKKO Kiln (一洸窯 – Ikko-gama)
Artist: Second-generation IKKO 二代目 一洸 (Watanabe Kazuhiro 渡邉一弘)
Description:
This refined rectangular bonsai pot is the work of Second-generation IKKO, Watanabe Kazuhiro (渡邉一弘), one of Tokoname’s most respected contemporary bonsai potters. The piece reflects Ikko’s characteristic balance of precision, restraint, and functionality, qualities that have made his work highly regarded among collectors and practitioners alike.
The pot is finished in a soft celadon-blue glaze (青釉 – seiyu), presenting a calm, milky blue tone with subtle variation across the surface. Fine speckling and gentle tonal shifts are visible under natural light, lending depth and quiet character without distracting from the clean, disciplined form. The glaze thins naturally along the rim edge and lower contours, subtly revealing hints of the iron-rich Tokoname clay beneath—an intentional and valued aesthetic detail.
The form is clean and architectural, with straight, gently tapering sides and crisp corners that give the pot a contemporary presence. A wide, flat rim frames the planting area, providing visual stability and practical usability. The pot stands on four integral cut feet (切足 – kiri-ashi), formed directly from the body rather than applied or recessed. Shallow stepped cut-outs between the feet create lift and shadow beneath the pot while maintaining a strong, grounded profile. The contact surfaces are left unglazed, exposing the warm reddish Tokoname clay and subtle kiln marks from firing.
The underside is partially glazed, with deliberate wiping around the drainage areas and base recesses, reflecting careful finishing and traditional kiln practice. Two drainage holes are cleanly cut and evenly spaced. At the centre of the base is a sharply impressed square seal (落款 – rakkan) reading 一洸, confirming the piece as an authentic work by Ikko.
Measuring 15.0 × 11.0 × 4.0 cm externally, this pot is well suited for shohin bonsai (小品盆栽), particularly upright or formal compositions, as well as refined kusamono or accent plantings (草もの). The pot is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, or repairs. The glaze remains intact and even, and the form is true and precise.
External dimensions: 15.0 × 11.0 × 4.0 cm
Internal dimensions: 12.7 × 8.7 × 3.0 cm
Free shipping to mainland UK on this pot.
