NAKANO GYOZAN 中野 行山 "Seal Only 印のみ" - 常滑 - 12.3cm Rectangular, Shohin 長方形 小品 – 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: Shohin Rectangular 小品 長方形
Finish / 仕上げ: Unglazed 無釉
Marking / 陶印: Seal Only 印のみ – Impressed Gyozan seal 行山印

Description / 説明:

A beautifully proportioned Shohin-size（小品）rectangular bonsai pot（長方形鉢） by 1st Generation Gyozan, Nakano Yukizyou（初代行山・中野行常）, made at the renowned Gyozan Kiln（行山窯） in Tokoname.

Despite its compact 12.3cm size, the pot has a remarkably architectural construction. The body rises with gently outward-opening walls （外開き）, terminating in a broad, refined projecting rim （外縁）. The softly rounded corners temper the rectangular geometry and give the pot a particularly well-balanced silhouette.

Around the lower body is a pronounced rounded basal band（下帯）, providing a strong visual transition between the body and the feet. Four substantial corner-positioned feet （四足） are incorporated beneath the band, with their gently rounded profile complementing the softened corners of the pot.

The unglazed clay （無釉土） has a warm olive-brown to earthy brown tone with a fine, understated texture. Its restrained surface and natural clay character（土味） give the pot the quiet shibui（渋い） quality associated with Gyozan's traditional unglazed work.

The interior is cleanly finished and the base incorporates a particularly practical drainage arrangement: one principal central drainage hole（排水穴） accompanied by four smaller drainage/wiring holes（排水・針金穴）, allowing secure positioning of a Shohin tree while maintaining effective drainage.

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

The combination of the broad 外縁, gently flared body, pronounced 下帯, compact four-foot construction and warm unglazed clay creates an excellent sense of balance（均衡）, stability（安定感） and understated dignity（品格）.

External Dimensions / 外寸: 12.2 × 9.2 × 3.7cm
Internal Dimensions / 内寸: 10.4 × 7.4 × 2.6cm

Condition / 状態: Excellent.

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About the Potter / 作家について

Nakano Gyozan（中野行山）, 1st Generation Gyozan, was one of the highly regarded makers associated with the modern tradition of Tokoname bonsai pottery（常滑盆栽鉢）. The Gyozan Kiln （行山窯） became particularly respected for its unglazed containers, combining carefully controlled proportions with the practical requirements of cultivating important bonsai.

His work is distinguished by an understanding of 用の美 (yo no bi) — beauty arising through function — where rim, walls, feet and drainage are treated as parts of one coherent design. His unglazed pots allow the qualities of the clay itself to remain central, developing greater 土味, 経年変化 and 景色 through years of cultivation.

Following the passing of 1st Generation Gyozan in February 2026, his surviving work represents the completed output of an important Tokoname potter and an established chapter in modern Japanese bonsai-container history.

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート

This is an especially appealing example of Gyozan's work because considerable architectural detail has been retained within a very small 12.3cm Shohin format（小品鉢）. The broad 外縁, softly opening walls, substantial 下帯 and four-foot arrangement give the pot much greater visual presence than its dimensions suggest.

It is also worth recording specifically that this is a 1st Generation Gyozan example carrying the impressed seal only（印のみ）. The marking should therefore be understood exactly as presented: an impressed Gyozan seal（行山印）, without a hand-incised 爪描き銘.

Its understated unglazed surface and warm natural clay should continue to acquire subtle 経年変化 and 景色 through cultivation, making this a particularly refined small container for a mature Shohin bonsai.