IKKO一洸 (Watanabe Kazuhiro 渡邉一弘) – 常滑 -13.2cm Octagonal 八角形 ( On Hold !)

IKKO一洸 (Watanabe Kazuhiro 渡邉一弘) – 常滑 -13.2cm Octagonal 八角形 Bonsai Pot – Unglazed Purple Clay (紫泥 – Shidei) Signed | With Original Kiri-bako (桐箱)

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 exquisite octagonal bonsai pot is a refined example of the work of Second-generation IKKO, Watanabe Kazuhiro (渡邉一弘), whose kiln in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture (常滑市) is widely respected for producing high-quality, unglazed ceramics. Crafted from Tokoname 紫泥 (shidei – purple clay), this pot features a tight, sandy texture and a rich, earthy tone that highlights the natural beauty of the clay without the use of glaze.

The form is distinctly formal and architectural, with eight sharply defined panels converging into a gracefully flared rim (外縁 – gai-en). The pot sits atop four elegantly stepped feet (雲足 – kumo-ashi), each perfectly integrated into the geometry of the octagonal base. On the underside, the attention to detail continues with two symmetrical drainage holes and a deeply impressed rakkan (落款) bearing the artist’s seal: 壹興. This combination of precision, balance, and simplicity is characteristic of IKKO’s unglazed work and reflects a mastery of both form and function.

Included with the pot is the original kiri-bako (桐箱 – paulownia wood box), custom fitted and bearing the artist’s hand-brushed calligraphy and red seal on the lid. The inscription reads: 常泥外縁八角鉢 (Jōdei gai-en hakkaku-bachi), describing the pot as an unglazed purple clay, flared-rim octagonal bonsai container.

Measuring 13.2 x 13.2 x 6.2 cm (external dimensions), this piece is perfectly suited for Shohin bonsai (小品盆栽), or as a centrepiece in a formal kusamono or accent display (草もの). The pot is in excellent condition with no cracks, chips, or repairs.

Shipping is free within mainland UK. The pot will be securely packaged and shipped with its original kiri-bako and protective materials.

Contemporary Japanese Bonsai Ceramic Artist

Ikko, the professional art name (gō, 号) of Katsuhiro Watanabe (渡辺勝洋), is a contemporary Japanese bonsai ceramicist based in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture—one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns (Rokkoyō) and a center of traditional pottery production. He is widely recognised for his contributions to modern bonsai ceramics through the production of finely crafted, small to medium-sized bonsai pots that emphasise aesthetic refinement, functional balance, and continuity of traditional Japanese pottery techniques.

Background and Lineage:

Ikko was born into a family of distinguished potters. He is the son of Watanabe Shōzan (渡辺松山, real name Watanabe Shōzō 渡辺正三), a respected mid- to late-20th-century bonsai potter known for his unglazed works and mastery of classical forms. Under his father's tutelage, Ikko inherited both technical proficiency and a deep understanding of the visual and philosophical principles underlying bonsai pottery.

Artistic Style:

Ikko’s work is characterised by its clean, elegant lines, precise form, and a restrained yet expressive approach to both glazed and unglazed finishes. His glazed pieces exhibit a sophisticated palette, often with soft blues, greens, and creams, while his unglazed works draw on Tokoname’s iron-rich clays and traditional firing methods to achieve subtle textures and warmth. His aesthetic sensibility is particularly attuned to the integration of pot and tree, a central concern in bonsai culture, where the container must both support and enhance the natural beauty of the plant.

Materials and Techniques:

Working primarily with Tokoname clay, Ikko employs traditional hand-building and slab construction techniques, and is known for his meticulous attention to wall thickness, foot shaping, and rim detail—features that are highly valued by bonsai practitioners for their visual and functional qualities. He frequently signs his work with the characters 一洸 (Ikko), either incised or stamped, and may include a seal identifying his workshop or lineage.

Legacy and Reception:

Ikko is regarded as one of the foremost living bonsai potters in Japan today. His works are highly sought after in both domestic and international bonsai communities and are considered among the finest contemporary examples of bonsai ceramic art. Collectors prize his pots not only for their craftsmanship but also for their capacity to harmonise with a wide variety of bonsai species and styles.

Through his practice, Ikko represents a continuation of the Watanabe family's ceramic legacy, while simultaneously advancing the field with his individual artistic vision and technical excellence.