NAKANO GYOZAN 中野 行山 "Seal Only 印のみ" - 常滑 - 24.8cm Not for Sale Mokko / Quatrefoil 木瓜形 – Green Glazed 緑釉

Product Details / 鉢の詳細

Region / 産地: Tokoname 常滑市, Aichi Prefecture 愛知県
Kiln / 窯元: Gyozan Kiln 行山窯
Potter / 作家: 1st Generation Gyozan 初代行山 – Nakano Yukizyou 中野行常
Shape / 形状: Mokko / Quatrefoil 木瓜形
Finish / 仕上げ: Green Glazed 緑釉
Marking / 陶印: Seal Only 印のみ – Impressed Gyozan seal 行山印

Description / 説明

A distinctive artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot by 1st Generation Gyozan, Nakano Yukizyou（初代行山・中野行常）, produced at the Gyozan Kiln（行山窯） in Tokoname 常滑市.

Although originally recorded as an oval, the vessel is more accurately described as a Mokko-form（木瓜形） pot. Its outline is composed of four broad, softly rounded lobes separated by gently indented transitions, creating the flowing and sculptural silhouette characteristic of this traditional Japanese form.

The 木瓜形 is carried through the entire architecture of the pot rather than being confined to the mouth. The body swells gently outward through each lobe before drawing inward toward the lower section, producing a soft, full-bodied profile with an excellent sense of 調和 (chowa – harmony) and 均衡 (kinko – balance).

The upper profile is finished with a broad, softly rounded projecting lip（口縁）. Its continuous flowing line follows the four-lobed silhouette and provides a strong but refined frame to the planting area.

Beneath the lip, subtle vertical folds follow the divisions between the four lobes, reinforcing the 木瓜形 without introducing unnecessary ornamentation. The result is sculptural yet restrained, retaining the quiet 品格 (hinkaku – dignity) associated with traditional Japanese bonsai ceramics.

The lower body transitions into a narrow defined band before reaching four shaped feet（四足）, positioned in harmony with the four-lobed geometry of the vessel. The feet continue the sculptural language of the body while providing a stable and visually balanced stance.

The glaze is particularly attractive. A rich deep green glaze（深緑釉） covers the exterior, moving through forest green, emerald and very dark green tones, with areas of deep blue to indigo （濃藍） appearing where the glaze has accumulated more heavily.

These natural variations in glaze thickness create attractive 釉溜まり (yudamari – glaze pooling) and individual 釉景 (yukei – glaze scenery) across the body. Depending upon the light, some areas appear almost blue-black while others reveal brighter green tones, giving the surface considerable depth.

The underside and feet expose areas of the warm natural clay body （胎土）, providing an attractive contrast with the saturated glaze.

The interior is predominantly unglazed, allowing the warm natural clay to remain visible and creating a strong visual distinction between the functional planting area and richly glazed exterior.

Drainage / 排水穴

The base incorporates four principal circular drainage holes（四ヶ所の排水穴）, distributed around the planting area to provide effective drainage.

The underside carries the impressed Gyozan maker's seal（行山印）. This is specifically a Seal Only（印のみ） example, without an additional hand-incised 爪描き銘.

Dimensions / 寸法

External Dimensions / 外寸: 24.8 × 24.4 × 10.6cm
Internal Dimensions / 内寸: 22.2 × 21.6 × 8.3cm

Condition / 状態

Excellent / 非常に良好

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 – Nakano Gyozan 中野行山

Nakano Gyozan（中野行山） was one of the highly respected figures associated with modern Tokoname bonsai ceramics （常滑盆栽鉢）, admired for his controlled proportions, strong functional design and understated Japanese aesthetic.

His work is particularly valued for its combination of 実用性（jitsuyosei – functionality） and 造形美（zokei-bi – beauty of form）, with careful attention to the relationship between the tree and container （樹と鉢の調和）.

Following Nakano Gyozan's passing in 2026, his surviving works have taken on additional historical significance for collectors. This particular example belongs to his Seal Only（印のみ） production and carries the impressed Gyozan maker's seal（行山印） to the underside, representing another important part of the surviving legacy of the Gyozan kiln.

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート

This 24.8cm example is particularly appealing for its distinctive Mokko-form（木瓜形） construction and richly varied glaze.

The four softly rounded lobes, gently indented transitions and full sculptural body create a particularly harmonious silhouette. Unlike a conventional oval or round container, the 木瓜形 introduces movement around the circumference while retaining the stability required of a substantial bonsai pot.

The glaze is another important feature. Its rich 深緑釉 develops areas of emerald, forest green, blue-green and deep indigo, with natural 釉溜まり producing individual 釉景 across the sculpted body. The warm exposed 胎土 beneath provides an attractive contrast with these saturated glazed surfaces.

The pot also represents an interesting departure from the unglazed containers for which Gyozan is particularly well known. Here, the restrained principles of 実用性・造形美・樹と鉢の調和 are expressed through a more sculptural 木瓜形 body and richly coloured glaze.

The impressed Gyozan seal（行山印） identifies this as a Seal Only（印のみ） example. Together with its distinctive form, four-hole drainage arrangement and strongly developed 釉景, it forms a particularly characterful example within the surviving work of 1st Generation Nakano Gyozan.