{"product_id":"nakano-gyozan-中野-行山-hand-signed-爪描き-常滑-43-0cm-oval-unglazed-bonsai-pot-楕円鉢-無釉","title":"NAKANO GYOZAN 中野 行山 \"Hand signed 爪描き\" - 常滑 - 43.0cm Oval Unglazed Bonsai Pot 楕円鉢 無釉","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003ePersonal Collection: \u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eNot for Sale! \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003eBut if you really want it, ping me!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Details \/ 鉢の詳細\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eRegion \/ 産地: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture（常滑市）\u003cbr\u003eKiln \/ 窯: Gyouzan Kiln（暁山窯）\u003cbr\u003ePotter \/ 作家: 1st Generation Gyouzan, Nakano Yukizyou（初代 暁山・中野行山）\u003cbr\u003eHand-signed \/ (爪描き)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Bahnschrift','sans-serif';\"\u003eDescription \/ 説明:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA vintage artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot（日本製・職人作の盆栽鉢）by \u003cstrong\u003e1st Generation Gyouzan, Nakano Yukizyou（初代 行山・中野行常）\u003c\/strong\u003e, produced in Tokoname（常滑）and presented in a substantial classical oval form（楕円鉢）.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pot has a beautifully proportioned, gently swelling body（胴張り）which curves naturally outward through its centre before drawing inward towards the base. This soft continuous curvature gives the vessel considerable visual strength while retaining the restrained elegance（渋み・品格）associated with high-quality traditional Tokoname bonsai ceramics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper edge is particularly refined. A rounded projecting lip（口縁）runs continuously around the oval, immediately beneath which is a clearly defined \u003cstrong\u003eupper band（上帯）\u003c\/strong\u003e. Together, these create a precise horizontal termination to the otherwise softly curved body.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eAt the bottom, the body draws into a fine \u003cstrong\u003ebasal band（下帯）\u003c\/strong\u003e, establishing another clean horizontal line before transitioning into \u003cstrong\u003efour broad recessed feet（四足・引込足）\u003c\/strong\u003e. The feet closely follow the curvature of the oval rather than interrupting it, giving the pot a low, grounded stance（安定感）while preserving the continuity of its silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe unglazed Tokoname clay（常滑土・無釉）has matured into an attractive warm brown colour with subtle variations of darker brown and ochre across the surface. Its understated ageing character（経年変化・古色）and fine clay texture（土味）give the pot considerable depth without detracting from the simplicity of the form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underside demonstrates the functional attention given to this large bonsai container. It incorporates \u003cstrong\u003esix substantial peripheral drainage\/wiring holes（排水・針金兼用穴）\u003c\/strong\u003e, together with \u003cstrong\u003efour smaller wiring holes（針金穴）\u003c\/strong\u003e. At the centre is an especially distinctive \u003cstrong\u003efour-aperture drainage opening\u003c\/strong\u003e, arranged as a compact decorative motif while providing additional drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImportantly for collectors, the underside bears the characteristic \u003cstrong\u003ehand-incised signature（爪描き・手彫り銘）\u003c\/strong\u003e of Nakano Gyouzan. The individually carved strokes are an important feature of the pot and distinguish this signed work from ordinary production pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the swelling oval body, strong rounded lip, upper and lower bands, recessed contour-following feet and beautifully aged unglazed clay creates a pot with an excellent sense of \u003cstrong\u003ebalance（均衡）\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003equiet refinement（渋さ）\u003c\/strong\u003e and substantial presence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExternal Dimensions \/ 外寸:\u003c\/strong\u003e 43.0 × 36.7 × 10.5cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInternal Dimensions \/ 内寸:\u003c\/strong\u003e 38.6 × 32.3 × 8.3cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition \/ 状態:\u003c\/strong\u003e Excellent（状態良好）.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFree Shipping to UK Mainland \/ 英国本土送料無料\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Potter – Nakano Gyozan 中野行山\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNakano Gyozan（中野行山）, also known as Nakano Yukizou, was one of the most highly regarded modern bonsai-pot makers of Tokoname（常滑）\u003c\/strong\u003e, renowned particularly for the exceptional quality of his large unglazed containers（大型無釉鉢）. His work became internationally recognised among bonsai professionals and collectors, and Gyozan pots have been used beneath important trees displayed at Japan's prestigious Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition（国風盆栽展）. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGyozan developed a distinctive approach in which traditional Tokoname craftsmanship（常滑焼の伝統技法）was combined with exceptionally controlled proportions, strong architectural forms and carefully selected clays. His finest pots possess the quiet strength and restraint associated with \u003cstrong\u003eshibui（渋い）\u003c\/strong\u003e, allowing the container to complement an important bonsai without competing with it. His work became sufficiently recognised internationally that his philosophy was described in Japan as creating \u003cstrong\u003e“bonsai pots for the 22nd century”\u003c\/strong\u003e, reflecting his intention that the pots should continue developing character far into the future. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular importance to collectors are his \u003cstrong\u003eindividually handmade and hand-signed works（手作り・爪描き）\u003c\/strong\u003e. Rather than relying solely upon a kiln stamp, these pieces carry Gyozan's hand-incised signature, physically cut into the clay by the potter himself. A substantial hand-signed example such as this therefore represents not simply a Tokoname bonsai container, but an identifiable piece of the master's personal work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNakano Gyozan passed away in February 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e, at the time Japan's bonsai community was celebrating the historic \u003cstrong\u003e100th Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition（第100回国風盆栽展）\u003c\/strong\u003e. His passing marked the end of an important chapter in contemporary Tokoname bonsai ceramics. Specialist Japanese-bonsai sources now explicitly describe his pots as the work of the late master, and tributes published following his death have recognised his importance to modern bonsai pottery. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor collectors, his death gives surviving \u003cstrong\u003ehandmade and hand-signed Gyozan pots（行山手作り鉢・爪描き）\u003c\/strong\u003e an additional historical significance. They form part of the finite body of work left by a potter whose containers have become closely associated with the highest levels of modern Japanese bonsai.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sugi Bonsai","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58232120410443,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0945\/4259\/4379\/files\/IMG_6098.jpg?v=1787493960","url":"https:\/\/sugibonsai.com\/products\/nakano-gyozan-%e4%b8%ad%e9%87%8e-%e8%a1%8c%e5%b1%b1-hand-signed-%e7%88%aa%e6%8f%8f%e3%81%8d-%e5%b8%b8%e6%bb%91-43-0cm-oval-unglazed-bonsai-pot-%e6%a5%95%e5%86%86%e9%89%a2-%e7%84%a1%e9%87%89","provider":"Sugi Bonsai","version":"1.0","type":"link"}