Tojaku陶雀 (Hayashi Tojaku / 本名: 林 忠, 1935–) – 常滑 -6.01cm Rectangular Horse motif
Product Details: Not for Sale!
Region: Tokoname 常滑市
Kiln: – Tojaku
Potter: 林陶雀 (Hayashi Tojaku / 本名: 林 忠, 1935– )
Description:
A fine artisan-made rectangular bonsai pot (長方形鉢), unglazed, with detailed 彫刻 (chokoku) decoration. One side depicts a horse in motion, the other a calm, standing horse alongside the zodiac character 午 (uma – horse), symbolizing both vitality and composure.
The natural 土肌 (tsuchihada – clay surface) has a refined, subdued texture that enhances its elegant presence. Its compact size makes it ideal for shohin (小品) or mame (豆) bonsai, or as a display accent.
On the base is Tojaku’s impressed 方形印 (hokei-in – square seal) reading 陶雀 (Tojaku). This seal is one of the defining features of his authentic works, confirming provenance and adding collector value.
This pot embodies Tojaku’s artistry: small yet powerful, blending 機能美 (kinobi – functional beauty) with expressive detail.
External Dimensions:
6.01 × 4.3 × 2.8 cm
Condition: Excellent!
On the underside is an impressed square seal (方形印 hokei-in), pressed neatly into the clay. The seal reads 陶雀 (Tojaku)The characters are in 篆書体 (tensho-tai – seal script style), with slightly rounded strokes, typical of Tojaku’s impressed marks. The seal is set within a recessed square border, clearly legible and well-struck.
For collectors, this seal is a primary mark of authenticity, confirming the pot as an original by 林陶雀 (Hayashi Tojaku).
Extended Biography / 作家について
Hayashi Tojaku — 林陶雀 (陶号: 陶雀, 本名: 林 忠, 1935年 京都生まれ)
Hayashi Tojaku was born in 1935 in Kyoto. Known under his art name 陶雀 (Tojaku), his real name was Hayashi Tadashi (林 忠). He became one of the pioneering makers of mame (豆鉢) and shohin (小品鉢) bonsai pots in the Kansai (関西) region.
With a background in casting and applied crafts, he brought an unusual level of precision and creativity to small bonsai containers. Around the early 1970s, Tojaku dedicated himself fully to bonsai pot production. His works include:
彫刻 (chokoku – carved reliefs) of animals, symbols, and landscapes.
染付 (sometsuke – underglaze blue porcelain) and painted motifs.
辰砂釉 (tensha / cinnabar red glazes) and natural 土物 (tsuchimono – unglazed clay).
Tojaku was admired for giving character and personality to small containers, balancing 実用 (jitsuyo – function) with 芸術性 (geijutsusei – artistry). His pots are considered refined examples of 小品美 (shohin-bi – beauty in miniature).
He also taught and influenced other artisans, notably Wajaku (和雀), who carried on the Kansai small-pot tradition. Many dealers today confirm that Tojaku has passed away, though exact records of his death are not clearly documented.
Collectors prize his pieces for their rarity, craftsmanship, and for the distinctive 作印 (sakuin – maker’s mark) impressed on the base.
