KEIZAN HISADA 久田桂山 – 2nd Generation 二代 – Hisada Sadao 久田貞雄 – Hand Signed 手彫り銘 & Seal 陶印 – 常滑 – 40.1cm Rectangular 長方鉢 – Unglazed 無釉

Product Details / 鉢の詳細

Region / 産地: Tokoname 常滑市, Aichi Prefecture 愛知県
Kiln / 窯元: Hisada Kiln 久田窯
Potter / 作家: Second Generation Hisada Keizan 二代 久田桂山
Personal Name / 本名: Hisada Sadao 久田貞雄
Form / 形状: Rectangular 長方形鉢
Finish / 仕上げ: Unglazed 無釉
Signature / 銘: Hand-incised 「久田桂山造」 – Made by Hisada Keizan
Seal / 陶印: Impressed 「桂山陶園」 seal

Description / 商品説明

A fine vintage artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot by Second Generation Hisada Keizan（二代 久田桂山）, Hisada Sadao 久田貞雄, from the Hisada Kiln（久田窯） of Tokoname 常滑市.

This substantial 40.1cm rectangular unglazed bonsai pot（長方形無釉鉢） has a strong classical form with disciplined proportions, softly rounded corners and a restrained architectural character.

The walls are straight with a subtle outward flare and are finished with a refined raised lip（口縁）, defined by a delicate raised border（口縁隆起線）. This fine architectural detail gives the upper profile a crisp yet understated finish, reinforcing the pot's calm 渋い (shibui) aesthetic and sense of balanced proportion （均衡）.

The main body remains comparatively clean and uninterrupted, allowing the natural clay surface and the strength of the rectangular form to remain the principal visual features.

Toward the base, a clearly defined lower basal band（下帯） runs continuously around the vessel. This strong horizontal line visually anchors the body and creates a deliberate transition into the supporting structure.

The pot stands on four recessed stepped feet（四足・内込み段足）. Their inward position beneath the body creates a controlled shadow line, while the stepped construction produces a clear transition between the 下帯 and the feet.

This recessed stance visually lifts the substantial body from the display surface while retaining excellent 安定感 (anteikan – stability). The relationship between the 口縁・口縁隆起線・下帯・内込み段足 gives the vessel a strong sense of 調和 (chowa – harmony), 均衡 (kinko – balance) and 品格 (hinkaku – dignity).

The vessel is formed from warm earthy Tokoname clay（常滑土） and fired unglazed（無釉）. The clay has a naturally granular, subtly groggy texture which gives the surface an attractive 土味 (tsuchi-aji).

Its muted brown to olive-brown coloration shows subtle tonal variation, while natural 経年変化 (kenen henka) and developing 景色 (keshiki) are beginning to give the clay additional depth and maturity.

With continued cultivation, these qualities should become increasingly pronounced, gradually enriching the surface with the quiet 渋み (shibumi) so highly valued in traditional Japanese unglazed bonsai ceramics.

The horticultural construction is equally well considered. The base incorporates two main drainage holes（主排水穴） together with four smaller wiring/drainage holes（針金・排水穴）, giving a total of six functional openings for effective drainage and secure anchoring of the tree.

The underside carries two distinct and important maker's markings.

The hand-incised inscription reads:

「久田桂山造」
“Made by Hisada Keizan.”

Alongside it is the impressed square 「桂山陶園」 seal（陶印）.

The presence of both an individually hand-incised signature（手彫り銘） and impressed 陶印 distinguishes this example from Keizan's Seal Only（印のみ） pots.

At 40.1 × 32.3 × 9.2cm, this is a substantial but well-balanced Keizan container. The strong rectangular body, straight walls with subtle flare, refined 口縁, delicate 口縁隆起線, defined 下帯 and recessed 内込み段足 combine to create a pot with considerable presence while remaining understated enough to support, rather than compete with, the bonsai.

The overall composition expresses 安定感・均衡・調和・品格, together with the traditional Japanese principle of 用の美 (yo no bi – beauty through function).

Dimensions / 寸法

External Dimensions / 外寸: 40.1 × 32.3 × 9.2cm
Internal Dimensions / 内寸: 34.4 × 26.5 × 6.3cm

Condition / 状態

Excellent vintage condition / 非常に良好なヴィンテージコンディション

Shipping / 配送

Free Shipping to UK Mainland / 英国本土送料無料

About the Potter / 作家について

Hisada Sadao 久田貞雄, born in 1930 in Tokoname, is the Second Generation Hisada Keizan（二代 久田桂山）. He is the son of Hisada Shizuo 久田静夫, who established the Hisada workshop in Tokoname in 1929.

Sadao continued the family's ceramic tradition and became particularly associated with traditional Tokoname bonsai containers, especially refined unglazed pots（無釉盆栽鉢） in which natural clay character, proportion and horticultural functionality are carefully balanced.

His work allows the inherent qualities of Tokoname clay（常滑土） to remain central. Through firing, age and continued cultivation, these surfaces gradually develop individual 土味・経年変化・景色, acquiring the restrained 渋み and 品格 particularly valued in traditional Japanese bonsai ceramics.

His approach combines 調和 (harmony), 均衡 (balance), 品格 (dignity) and the traditional concept of 用の美 (beauty through function).

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート

Born in 1930, Hisada Sadao 久田貞雄 is now in his mid-nineties and remains a living representative of one of the senior generations associated with traditional Tokoname bonsai-pot craftsmanship. His long connection with Tokoname places his work within an important period of post-war Japanese bonsai-pot history.

This example is particularly noteworthy because it carries both a hand-incised signature and impressed seal: 「久田桂山造」 together with the square 「桂山陶園」陶印.

Traditionally, Keizan's hand-signed pots（手彫り銘） have been regarded by collectors as more individually worked examples. While it is sometimes stated within bonsai collecting circles that Keizan reserved hand-signing for his better pieces, this should be understood as collector tradition rather than a formally documented grading system.

What can be stated with certainty is that this example differs from Keizan's Seal Only（印のみ） production through the presence of the additional individually incised 銘.

The pot itself has considerable architectural character. The straight walls with their subtle outward flare lead elegantly to the refined raised lip（口縁）, finished with a delicate raised border（口縁隆起線）. Below, the restrained body transitions into the defined 下帯 and four recessed stepped feet（内込み段足）, giving the vessel a strong yet visually elevated stance.

The horticultural arrangement of two main drainage holes（主排水穴） and four smaller wiring/drainage holes（針金・排水穴） further reflects Keizan's emphasis on practical bonsai function.

Combined with the naturally textured 常滑土, developing 土味・経年変化・景色, hand-incised 久田桂山造, impressed 桂山陶園 seal, refined 口縁隆起線 and recessed 内込み段足, this is a particularly characterful example of Keizan's approach to 造形美・品格・用の美.