NAKANO GYOZAN 中野 行山 "Seal Only 印のみ" - 常滑 - 43.5cm Oval Bag-Form 楕円袋形 – Unglazed 無釉

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: Oval Bag-Form 楕円袋形
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 substantial artisan-made Japanese bonsai pot by 1st Generation Gyozan, Nakano Yukizyou（初代行山・中野行常）, produced at the renowned Gyozan Kiln（行山窯） in Tokoname.

The pot is formed as a broad oval bag-form（楕円袋形鉢）, with the walls swelling gently outward through the body before drawing inward towards the upper section. This restrained curvature gives the pot the characteristic soft, full-bodied silhouette associated with the bag-form（袋形）, while retaining the strength and stability required of a large bonsai container.

The upper edge terminates in a broad, gently projecting external rim（外縁）, with a very subtle internal rim（内縁） that is almost imperceptible. Immediately beneath the rim, a softly modelled horizontal ridge follows the complete oval circumference, providing a refined transition into the rounded body.

At the base, the body is finished with a particularly fine lower basal band（下帯）. Its narrow profile follows the oval continuously and gives definition to the lower silhouette without visually adding weight.

The pot stands upon four discreet recessed feet（内込み足）, positioned beneath the body so that they remain subordinate to the flowing oval form. Their restrained construction allows the pot to appear visually grounded while maintaining the elegant uninterrupted line of the bag-shaped body.

The unglazed Tokoname clay （常滑土・無釉） has a warm muted brown tone with fine natural granular character. The restrained surface and subtle tonal variation give the pot an attractive 土味, with the understated 渋み and 調和 characteristic of traditional Japanese unglazed bonsai pottery.

The base incorporates five principal drainage holes（排水穴） together with four smaller wiring holes（針金穴）, providing a practical and well-distributed arrangement for securing a substantial bonsai and maintaining effective drainage.

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

External Dimensions / 外寸: 43.5 × 35.6 × 10.0cm
Internal Dimensions / 内寸: 38.6 × 30.8 × 7.5cm

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About the Potter / 作家について

Nakano Gyozan（中野行山）, First Generation Gyozan, established the Gyozan Kiln（行山窯） in Tokoname in 1972 and became particularly respected for his large unglazed bonsai containers. His work is characterised by carefully controlled proportions, excellent horticultural functionality and a strong understanding of 用の美 — beauty arising from an object's purpose and use.

The quiet treatment of the clay, restrained decorative vocabulary and careful relationship between rim, body and feet are characteristic qualities of Gyozan's traditional Tokoname work.

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート

This is an especially attractive Gyozan form because of the combination of its substantial 43.5cm scale, broad 楕円袋形 profile and unusually restrained detailing. The almost imperceptible 内縁, softly swelling bag-form body, very thin 下帯, and discreet 内込み足 create a particularly harmonious silhouette.

As a Seal Only（印のみ） example, the underside carries the impressed 行山印 as its maker's marking. With the passing of First Generation Gyozan in 2026, his original works now represent a finite body of Tokoname bonsai-pot production, preserving the craftsmanship and functional aesthetic for which the Gyozan name became known.

Condition / 状態: Excellent