YAMAAKI 山秋 — 2nd Generation Kataoka Sadamitsu / Koshosen 山秋二代 片岡貞光・小松泉 - 40.2cm Round Lotus Unglazed Worm-Eaten Bonsai Pot（丸鉢・蓮弁式・無釉・虫喰い）

YAMAAKI 山秋 — 2nd Generation Kataoka Sadamitsu / Koshosen 山秋二代 片岡貞光・小松泉 -  40.2cm Round Lotus Unglazed Worm-Eaten Bonsai Pot（丸鉢・蓮弁式・無釉・虫喰い）

Product Details / 鉢の詳細
Region / 産地: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture（常滑市）
Kiln / 窯: Yamaaki Kiln（山秋窯）
Potter / 作家: 2nd Generation Kataoka Sadamitsu（山秋二代 片岡貞光）
Art Name / 号: Koshosen（小松泉）
Style / 形式: Handmade round lotus-form unglazed bonsai pot（手作り丸鉢・蓮弁式・無釉）
Finish / 仕上げ: Unglazed Tokoname clay with worm-eaten texture（無釉・虫喰い仕上げ）
Seal / Mark: Incised signature and impressed mark to the base（彫銘・落款あり）

Description / 説明
A substantial vintage Japanese bonsai pot by Yamaaki（山秋）, made by second-generation Kataoka Sadamitsu（山秋二代 片岡貞光）, also associated with the art name Koshosen（小松泉）. This piece comes from the Tokoname ceramic tradition of Aichi Prefecture（常滑市） and is made in a large round lotus-form shape, maru-bachi / renben-shiki（丸鉢・蓮弁式）.

The pot has a strong and elegant lotus-petal outline, with a gently scalloped rim and softly flared walls that create a powerful but refined display presence. The upper rim, kuchibuchi（口縁）, is rounded and well finished, giving the pot a solid visual frame. The body is decorated with dramatic worm-eaten texture, mushikui（虫喰い）, where rugged, natural-looking clay areas contrast beautifully against the smoother, polished Tokoname surface.

The clay colour is a warm brown unglazed Tokoname tone, muyu（無釉）, with subtle darker firing variation and a mature aged surface, jidai-kan（時代感）. The rough-textured sections give the pot an old, natural, almost stone-like character, making it especially suitable for powerful old trees, collected material, pines, junipers, or deciduous bonsai with strong trunk character.

The underside is neatly finished with a recessed circular base and integrated feet, hikkomi-ashi（引込み足）, giving the pot stability while keeping a clean low profile. The base includes one large central drainage hole, mizunuki-ana（水抜き穴）, with additional drainage and wiring holes, harigane-ana（針金穴）, making the pot practical for bonsai cultivation. The underside also shows an incised signature and impressed mark, adding strong collector interest.

A highly characterful and substantial Yamaaki bonsai pot with excellent presence, warm Tokoname clay colour, lotus-form rim, and distinctive worm-eaten surface texture. This is a powerful container for a mature bonsai where aged character, texture, and traditional Japanese craftsmanship are important.

External dimensions: 40.2 x 40.2 x 10.5cm
Internal dimensions: 34.0 x 34.0 x 8.1cm

Condition: Excellent condition. No visible cracks or major damage from the images provided. The rugged worm-eaten surface texture is part of the original design and character of the pot. Light age-related patina and natural firing variation are present, consistent with a vintage handmade Tokoname bonsai pot.

Collector’s Note / 収集家向け解説
Yamaaki（山秋窯）is one of the most respected and historically important bonsai pot kilns of Tokoname（常滑）. The kiln was established by the first generation, Kataoka Akitsugu（片岡秋次）, and continued through the second generation, Kataoka Sadamitsu（片岡貞光）, and the third generation, Kataoka Toshio（片岡俊雄）. Across these three generations, Yamaaki became one of the most productive and recognisable Tokoname kilns, producing a wide range of bonsai containers from practical production pots to highly desirable handmade pieces.

Collectors especially value Yamaaki pots that show hand-carved signatures, incised marks, or individual finishing details, as these are generally associated with work made directly by the Kataoka family rather than standard production pieces. The kiln finally went cold in 2011, making signed Yamaaki pots increasingly appreciated by collectors of Tokoname bonsai ceramics.

For this pot, the connection to the second generation, Kataoka Sadamitsu（山秋二代 片岡貞光）, also known by the art name Koshosen（小松泉）, gives the piece particular collector interest. The strong lotus form, warm unglazed Tokoname clay, and dramatic mushikui（虫喰い）surface make it an excellent example of Yamaaki’s ability to combine practical bonsai function with characterful traditional craftsmanship.

Provenance Note / 由来について
This pot was sold to me as having been previously owned by Master Masahiko Kimura（木村正彦）, one of Japan’s most renowned bonsai masters. The seller also owns several tree collections connected to Master Kimura, including a large forest planting, which I have personally seen and which is certified. This supports the provenance history as it was presented at the time of sale and adds further collector interest to the piece. Please note that the provenance of this pot itself is stated as received from the previous seller.