NAKANO GYOZAN 中野 行山 "Seal Only 印のみ" - 常滑 - 37.5cm Round 丸鉢 – Unglazed 無釉

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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
Form / 形状: Round 丸鉢
Finish / 仕上げ: Unglazed 無釉
Marking / 陶印: Seal Only 印のみ – Impressed Gyozan seal 行山印

Description / 商品説明

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

At 37.5cm in diameter and only 7.0cm high, this is a broad and beautifully shallow round unglazed bonsai pot（丸鉢・無釉）, combining a strong horizontal presence with a refined, restrained silhouette.

The upper body is defined by a substantial projecting rounded lip（丸口縁）, forming a clean continuous line around the circumference of the vessel. The lip gives the shallow form strength and definition while retaining the understated character associated with Gyozan's work.

Beneath the lip, the walls sweep gracefully outward （外開き）, transitioning smoothly from the narrower lower body toward the broad upper circumference. This flowing curvature creates an excellent sense of 均衡 (kinko – balance) and 調和 (chowa – harmony).

The lower profile flows naturally into three broad integrated curved feet（三足・一体足）. Each foot follows the circular curvature of the vessel, maintaining the continuity of the round form while creating a subtle shadow beneath the pot. Their low, restrained construction provides excellent 安定感 (anteikan – stability) without adding unnecessary visual weight.

The unglazed clay has an attractive warm brown to reddish-brown tone, with fine darker inclusions distributed throughout the body. The lightly granular surface gives the pot appealing 土味 (tsuchi-aji) while retaining a clean and carefully finished appearance.

As this example is new and unused, the clay remains fresh and relatively uniform. Through future cultivation, watering and exposure, the unglazed surface has the potential gradually to acquire individual 経年変化 (kenen henka) and 景色 (keshiki), developing deeper 渋み (shibumi) over time.

Drainage & Wiring / 排水穴・針金穴

The broad base incorporates a carefully considered horticultural arrangement comprising four principal circular drainage holes（四ヶ所の主排水穴） together with nine dedicated wiring holes（九ヶ所の針金穴）, approximately 5mm in diameter.

The four larger openings provide the principal drainage across the broad, shallow planting area, while the nine smaller 針金穴 provide numerous anchoring points for securely wiring the tree into position.

The underside carries the clearly impressed Gyozan seal（行山印）. This example carries the seal only（印のみ）, with no hand-incised inscription.

Dimensions / 寸法

External Dimensions / 外寸: 37.5cm diameter × 7.0cm high
Internal Dimensions / 内寸: 32.0cm diameter × 4.8cm deep

Condition / 状態

Excellent – New / 未使用

A new and unused example in excellent condition.

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, 1st Generation Gyozan（初代行山）, was one of the highly regarded makers associated with the modern Tokoname bonsai-pot tradition.

His work became respected for refined proportions, carefully considered construction, excellent unglazed clay and a deep understanding of the practical requirements of bonsai cultivation.

An important characteristic of Gyozan's work is the relationship between aesthetics and function — 用の美 (yo no bi – beauty through function). His containers were conceived not simply as decorative ceramics, but as functional vessels in which proportion, planting depth, drainage, anchoring and the visual relationship between pot and tree were carefully considered together.

Gyozan produced a broad range of classical forms, including rectangular, oval, round and square containers, with particular attention to the relationship between 口縁・胴・足・排水穴・針金穴.

Following the passing of Nakano Gyozan in 2026, his surviving works now form a finite body of craftsmanship within modern Tokoname bonsai-pot history.

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート

This 37.5cm 丸鉢 is an especially elegant example of 1st Generation Gyozan's round-form work. Its broad, shallow proportions create considerable visual presence while remaining calm and restrained.

The continuous 丸口縁, gracefully opening walls （外開き）, and three broad curved integrated feet（三足・一体足） create a flowing silhouette in which the circular geometry remains beautifully balanced from lip to base.

Of particular interest is the highly practical base configuration, comprising four principal drainage holes（主排水穴） and nine dedicated 5mm wiring holes（針金穴）. This extensive anchoring arrangement reflects the strong horticultural functionality for which Gyozan's bonsai containers are highly regarded.

This particular pot is a Seal Only（印のみ） example, carrying the impressed 行山印 as its maker's mark. The absence of a hand-incised 爪描き signature does not alter its attribution here to 1st Generation Gyozan.

Being new and unused, the pot offers the next owner the opportunity to develop the warm unglazed clay naturally through cultivation, gradually building its own 土味・経年変化・景色・渋み over the coming decades.

The combination of its broad shallow 丸鉢 form, flowing 三足, extensive drainage and wiring arrangement, fresh unglazed clay and 行山印 makes this a particularly attractive example of the restrained 用の美 associated with 1st Generation Nakano Gyozan.