YAMAFUSA 4th Generation KOIE 山房四代 鯉江 (aka SAMBO) – 常滑 – 40.7cm Oval Light Cream Glazed Bonsai Pot（楕円鉢・淡クリーム釉）

Yamafusa Koie 山房鯉江 — 4th Generation / Sambo 四代目 山房 — Tokoname, Aichi（常滑市）— 40.7cm Oval Light Cream Glazed Bonsai Pot（楕円鉢・淡クリーム釉）

Product Details / 鉢の詳細
Region / 産地: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture（常滑市）
Kiln / 窯: Koie Ceramics / Yamafusa Kiln（鯉江製陶所・山房窯）
Potter / 作家: 4th Generation Yamafusa Koie（四代目 山房鯉江）, also known as Sambo（山房）
Style / 形式: Handmade oval glazed bonsai pot（手作り楕円釉薬鉢）
Glaze / 釉薬: Light cream glaze（淡クリーム釉）
Seal / Mark: Incised Yamafusa signature to the base（山房・彫銘あり）

Description / 説明
A refined handmade Japanese bonsai pot by Yamafusa Koie（山房鯉江）, fourth generation of the Koie Ceramics kiln（鯉江製陶所）, from the Tokoname ceramic tradition of Aichi Prefecture（常滑市）. This piece is made in a graceful oval form, daen-bachi（楕円鉢）, with a low, wide profile and a quiet, elegant presence suitable for refined bonsai display.

The pot is finished with a soft light cream glaze, awa kurimu-yu（淡クリーム釉）, giving the exterior a clean and understated appearance. The glaze has gentle age-related character, including fine surface crazing, kannyu（貫入）, and subtle tonal variation, creating a mature and natural feeling. The warm unglazed Tokoname clay visible inside and underneath provides a pleasing contrast against the pale glazed exterior.

The form is simple and well balanced, with a smooth oval body and an unobtrusive internal rim, uchibuchi（内縁）, allowing the planting area to remain open and practical. The overall shape has a calm, restrained presence, with soft curves and excellent proportions.

The underside is neatly finished with incised cut feet, kizami kiri-ashi（刻み切足）, giving stability while keeping the pot visually light. The base includes one central drainage hole, mizunuki-ana（水抜き穴）, with additional drainage and wiring holes, harigane-ana（針金穴）, making the pot fully practical for bonsai cultivation. The incised Yamafusa signature, 「山房」, is visible to the base, confirming the maker.

A tasteful and highly usable Tokoname oval bonsai pot with excellent proportions, soft cream glaze, and quiet traditional character. Its shallow oval form would be especially suitable for deciduous bonsai, flowering species, fruiting trees, or refined display compositions where a light glazed container is desired.

External dimensions: 40.7 x 30.3 x 5.8cm
Internal dimensions: 38.2 x 27.5 x 4.5cm

Condition: Excellent condition. Light age-related patina, minor surface marks, and natural glaze crazing are present, consistent with a handmade glazed bonsai pot.

Free shipping with this pot to UK Mainland.

Yamafusa / Koie Collector’s Note / 山房・鯉江 収集家向け解説
Yamafusa Koie（山房鯉江）is the fourth generation of the Koie Ceramics kiln（鯉江製陶所）, a Tokoname kiln with a history of more than 100 years. Continuing the tradition inherited from previous generations, Yamafusa values both function and aesthetics, producing bonsai pots designed to support and enhance the overall world created by the bonsai work. His pots are appreciated for their reliable forms, practical construction, and restrained Tokoname craftsmanship.

The Koie kiln is also known for its strong molding and forming techniques, allowing the production of stable, well-proportioned pots suitable for both practical bonsai use and refined display. Yamafusa’s work remains rooted in the Tokoname tradition while maintaining a close relationship with the needs of bonsai artists and enthusiasts.