Mizukami Sataro (水上佐太郎) – Tokoname 常滑市 – 9.5cm Round 丸鉢 – Unglazed Yakishime 無釉焼締

Personal Collection: Not for Sale! 
But if you really want it, ping me!

Product Details / 商品詳細: 

Region / 産地: Tokoname 常滑市, Aichi Prefecture 愛知県
Kiln / 窯元: Mizukami Sataro (水上佐太郎)
Potter / 陶工: The late Mizukami Sataro (故・水上佐太郎)
Style / 形式: Artisan-made Japanese round unglazed yakishime bonsai pot 丸形無釉焼締盆栽鉢
Decoration / 文様: Incised and relief-carved bamboo and sparrow motif 竹に雀 (take ni suzume)
Signature / 銘: Incised Mizukami Sataro signature 水上佐太郎 刻銘 to the underside
Tomobako / 共箱: Original signed wooden tomobako 共箱

Description / 説明:

A vintage, artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot 盆栽鉢 by the late Tokoname potter Mizukami Sataro (故・水上佐太郎), produced in Tokoname 常滑市, Aichi Prefecture 愛知県. This finely crafted small pot is formed in a classic round shape (丸鉢 / maru-bachi) from dense unglazed yakishime stoneware (無釉焼締 / muyu yakishime), combining compact proportions with highly individual decorative work.

The upper profile is defined by a pronounced, rounded rim (口縁 / koen), while internally the planting area is neatly finished with a clearly defined internal rim (内縁 / uchi-en). Together, these details give the small vessel a strong architectural outline and a pleasing sense of balance (均整 / kinsei) and stability (安定感 / anteikan).

The body 胴 / do is decorated with an expressive bamboo and sparrow motif (竹に雀 / take ni suzume), worked directly into the clay through incised and relief-carved decoration 彫刻 / chokoku. The bamboo foliage extends around the body in a loose, natural composition, while the sparrows are integrated into the design, giving the surface movement and a distinctly Japanese character 和趣 / washu.

The carving retains visible traces of warm reddish colour within the incised areas, contrasting subtly against the dark earthy body and helping to articulate the bamboo and sparrow design (竹に雀) while preserving the natural quality of the clay.

The dense yakishime clay (焼締土 / yakishime-tsuchi) displays considerable natural surface character, with earthy brown, charcoal and olive-grey tonal variation together with scattered iron-rich firing effects. These variations give the surface an attractive kiln-fired character (窯変 / yohen) and emphasise the natural clay character (土味 / tsuchi-aji) for which unglazed Japanese bonsai pottery is particularly appreciated.

A clearly defined lower basal band (下帯 / shita-obi) encircles the body immediately above the feet. This provides a strong visual foundation beneath the decorated central section and gives the compact form additional depth and structure.

Particularly distinctive are the deeply cut scalloped feet (切込み足 / kirikomi-ashi). The broad curved openings are punctuated by sharply pointed central projections, producing a rhythmic, almost wave-like silhouette around the base. These sculptural feet visually lift the pot while maintaining a strong grounded presence and are one of the most individual characteristics of this piece.

The underside 鉢底 / hachizoko is carefully finished and reveals the construction particularly clearly. A large central drainage hole (水抜き穴 / mizunuki-ana) is accompanied by three smaller drainage/wiring holes (水抜き穴・針金穴 / mizunuki-ana / harigane-ana), providing both effective drainage (排水 / haisui) and practical anchoring points 針金固定 / harigane kotei for securing a bonsai.

The underside also carries the potter's hand-incised Mizukami Sataro signature (水上佐太郎 刻銘), an important identifying feature of the piece.

Despite measuring only 9.5cm in diameter, this pot has considerable visual presence. The combination of its compact round form (丸鉢), pronounced rim 口縁, lower basal band 下帯, sculptural cut feet (切込み足), traditional bamboo and sparrow decoration (竹に雀) and richly varied yakishime surface (焼締) gives the piece an expressive yet distinctly Japanese character.

External Dimensions / 外寸: 9.5cm diameter × 3.5cm high

Condition / 状態: Excellent! 非常に良好. Unused, with no cracks, chips or repairs.

About the Potter – The Late Mizukami Sataro 故・水上佐太郎

The late Mizukami Sataro (故・水上佐太郎) was a respected Tokoname bonsai-pot craftsman associated with the celebrated ceramic tradition of Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼). He is remembered for finely made bonsai containers that combined disciplined construction with expressive use of natural unglazed clay 無釉土, carved decoration 彫刻, and carefully considered functional details.

His work demonstrates a strong appreciation for the natural character of fired clay 土味 / tsuchi-aji, allowing variations produced during firing 窯変 / yohen to form part of the finished aesthetic rather than concealing them beneath glaze.

This small yakishime (焼締) example demonstrates those qualities particularly well, combining a traditional Japanese bamboo and sparrow motif (竹に雀) with unusually sculptural kirikomi-ashi (切込み足) and a richly matured clay surface.

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート:

A particularly characterful small bonsai pot by the late Mizukami Sataro (故・水上佐太郎), accompanied by its original signed wooden tomobako (共箱). The presence of the original box is an important part of the ensemble and significantly enhances the completeness, provenance and collector appeal of the piece.

The combination of the traditional bamboo and sparrow motif (竹に雀), richly varied yakishime (焼締) surface, pronounced lower basal band (下帯), distinctive cut scalloped feet (切込み足) and hand-incised Mizukami Sataro signature (水上佐太郎 刻銘) makes this a highly individual example of small-scale Tokoname bonsai pottery (常滑盆栽鉢) by a recognised late Tokoname craftsman.