AIBA KOYO – Mr. AIBA Kouichirou（相場 恒一郎）– 常滑 - 28.3 cm Mokko-Style Oval Glazed 木瓜形楕円釉鉢）

KOYO – Mr. AIBA Kouichirou（相場 恒一郎）– 常滑 28.3 cm Mokko-Style Oval Glazed Bonsai Pot（木瓜形楕円釉鉢）

Product Details:

Region: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture 常滑市
Kiln: KŌYŌ Kiln 鴻陽窯
Potter: AIBA Kouichirou 相場 恒一郎 (1944–2015)

Description:

Mokko-style oval bonsai pot（木瓜形楕円鉢）, fully glazed（総釉）. The rim (口縁 kōen) features gentle lobing characteristic of the mokko form, creating a soft four-pointed outline that adds movement and elegance while maintaining balance (安定感). The lip is subtly rounded with a slight inward return, enhancing both strength and refinement.

The exterior is finished in a rich blue-green glaze (青緑釉 / 青釉), with natural pooling and tonal variation across the body. The glaze thins toward the rim and foot, revealing warm undertones that contrast beautifully with the Tokoname clay (常滑土). A softly defined mid-body band (胴部) transitions smoothly into the lower basal area (高台周辺), giving the pot visual depth without heaviness.

Feet & Base: The pot stands on neatly formed incised feet (刻み足), understated and well proportioned to the low profile of the vessel. The base is cleanly finished with a recessed footring (高台). An impressed square seal (角印) reading KOYO / 鴻陽 is clearly visible, confirming kiln attribution.

 Interior & Functionality: The interior is unglazed, displaying the natural clay surface. It includes one central drainage hole (排水穴) and four additional drainage holes, along with two smaller wiring holes (針金穴), providing excellent drainage and secure tie-down options for bonsai cultivation.

Overall Impression:

A refined, artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot exemplifying Tokoname craftsmanship. The mokko form lends a classical yet organic presence (柔らかな造形), while the expressive glaze and harmonious proportions create a calm but powerful visual balance (静かな存在感). Subtle patina (経年変化) will developed over time, enhancing the character and depth of the piece. Particularly well suited for deciduous trees or elegant, refined compositions.

Dimensions:

External: 28.3 × 19.9 × 6.0 cm
Internal: 25.8 × 17.5 × 4.5 cm

Condition: Excellent.

Free shipping with this pot to the UK Mainland  

About the Potter – KOYO, Mr. AIBA Kouichirou（相場 恒一郎）

Mr. AIBA Kouichirou (相場 恒一郎, 1944–2015) was a respected Tokoname potter working under the kiln name KOYO（鴻陽）, based in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture (愛知県常滑市), one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kiln sites (日本六古窯). His work is closely associated with high-quality bonsai ceramics that emphasize balance, usability, and refined surface treatment.

KOYO pots are known for their strong yet understated forms (造形の安定感), careful attention to proportion (均整), and expressive glazing (釉調の表情). Aiba frequently employed classic Japanese shapes such as mokko (木瓜形), oval (楕円), and rectangular forms, often finished with natural ash-influenced or blue-green glazes (青釉・青緑釉) that mature beautifully over time.

His pots were produced with bonsai cultivation in mind, featuring well-considered drainage and wiring holes (排水穴・針金穴) and finely finished feet (刻み足). The impressed square seal reading 鴻陽 (KŌYŌ) is a hallmark of his kiln and appears on many of his works.

While firmly rooted in Tokoname tradition (常滑焼の伝統), Aiba’s ceramics reflect a quiet individuality, combining functional strength with subtle elegance. His pots continue to be widely appreciated by bonsai practitioners for their reliability, aging character (経年変化), and harmonious pairing with both deciduous and evergreen trees.