KEIZAN Hisada 久田 桂山 – 常滑 Tokoname – 46.4cm Oval Unglazed (楕円 無釉)
Product Details:
Region: Tokoname 常滑市
Kiln: Hisada Kiln 久田窯
Potter: 2nd Generation Hisada Keizan 二代 久田桂山 (Hisada Sadao 久田貞雄)
Description:
A superb and rare large Tokoname bonsai pot (常滑焼盆栽鉢) handmade by the celebrated master Hisada Keizan (久田桂山).
This great oval form (楕円形) showcases the refined simplicity and balance typical of Keizan’s aesthetic—an unglazed (無釉) body in warm natural brown Tokoname clay (常滑土), fired to reveal a subtle sheen and fine granular texture (土味 tsuchi-aji).
The pot features a gently flared lip (外反り縁) that adds grace and visual lift, paired with an elegant lower basal band (下部の帯) that accentuates its poised proportion. The walls are straight yet softened by curvature, embodying perfect aesthetic harmony (美的均衡 biteki kinkō).
Neatly formed feet (切り込み足) provide stability while maintaining refinement. Over time, the surface has developed a delicate patina (経年の風合い), enhancing its understated wabi-sabi charm (侘寂の美).
The underside carries Keizan’s impressed seal (桂山印), together with a practical and well-balanced drainage system (排水穴・針金穴).
External Dimensions: 46.4 x 36.5 x 10.3
Internal Dimensions: 40.4x 30.5x7.9
Condition: Excellent! (非常に良好な状態)
Free Shipping: To mainland UK on this pot!
About the Potter – Hisada Keizan (久田桂山):
Keizan Hisada, also known as Sadao Hisada (久田貞雄), is a renowned figure in Japanese bonsai pottery. Born in 1930 in Tokoname, he was the son of Shizuo Hisada, who founded the Hisada kiln in 1929—initially producing bricks before transitioning to bonsai ceramics.
Keizan elevated the family craft into one of Tokoname’s most respected studios, known for its refined forms, elegant motifs, and masterful use of unglazed clay that allows the natural beauty of Tokoname’s earth to speak. His works are both functional and artistic (工芸品 kōgeihin), expressing deep knowledge of pottery technique and the aesthetics of bonsai.
Collector’s Note:
Signed works by Keizan (久田桂山) are highly prized among collectors. His impressed seal and hand-inscribed mei (銘) mark his finest pieces, reflecting authenticity (真正性 shinsei-sei) and provenance (由緒 yui-sho) within the Hisada lineage. Each pot exemplifies aesthetic harmony and timeless Japanese craftsmanship (日本陶芸遺産 Nihon tōgei isan).
Owning a Keizan pot is not merely to possess a container—it is to hold a piece of Tokoname’s ceramic heritage.
