YAMAFUSA's Wife (Hoshu Otorifune 宝舟) – 常滑 – 47.0cm Rectangular 長方形 – Deep Cobalt Blue Glazed 濃藍色 瑠璃釉

YAMAFUSA's Wife (Hoshu Otorifune 宝舟) – 常滑 – 47.0cm Rectangular 長方形 – Deep Cobalt Blue Glazed 濃藍色 瑠璃釉

Product Details:
Region: Tokoname 常滑市
Kiln: KOIE Ceramics 山房鯉江製陶所
Potter: Hoshu Otorifune 宝舟 (Wife of 4th Generation Yamafusa Koie 山房鯉江)

A finely handcrafted Japanese bonsai pot by Hoshu Otorifune (宝舟), produced at the historic Koie Ceramics Kiln (山房鯉江製陶所) in Tokoname (常滑), one of Japan's renowned Six Ancient Kilns (日本六古窯). Finished in a magnificent Deep Cobalt Blue glaze (濃藍色・瑠璃釉 Ruri-yu), this elegant rectangular bonsai pot reflects the refined craftsmanship and understated beauty that have become synonymous with the Koie family tradition.

The pot features an almost imperceptible internal rim (内縁) that blends seamlessly into the clean architectural form, allowing the elegant proportions to remain uninterrupted. The walls rise with a gentle outward flare before softly returning towards the rim, creating a graceful yet confident silhouette that embodies the Japanese principles of shibui (渋い), chowa (調和) and yo no bi (用の美)—the beauty of functional design.

The lustrous Ruri-yu (瑠璃釉) displays exceptional depth and richness, revealing subtle tonal variation as the light moves across its surface. The uninterrupted body is intentionally free from decorative bands, allowing the extraordinary quality of the glaze and the purity of the form to become the principal visual elements.

The pot is supported by four integrated cut feet (切足) that follow the natural line of the body, creating a harmonious transition between the vessel and its base while maintaining excellent stability and visual lightness. The underside is thoughtfully designed with eight drainage and wiring holes (水抜き穴・針金穴), providing exceptional practicality for bonsai cultivation while preserving the clean aesthetics of the base.

The underside bears Hoshu's original hand-incised signature (爪描き) 宝舟, together with a second hand-incised inscription reading 鯉江 (Koie), believed to have been added by Yamafusa, further reinforcing the pot's provenance within the distinguished Koie family workshop.

The combination of refined proportions, exceptional glazing and practical functionality makes this an outstanding exhibition-quality bonsai container, equally suited to refined deciduous trees, powerful conifers and flowering bonsai.

External dimensions: 47.0 × 33.4 × 7.5 cm
Internal dimensions: 43.7 × 29.8 × 5.5 cm

Condition: Excellent. 

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About the Potter – Hoshu Otorifune 宝舟

Hoshu Otorifune (宝舟) is a respected Tokoname ceramic artist working alongside her husband, 4th Generation Yamafusa Koie (山房鯉江), at the historic Koie Ceramics Kiln (山房鯉江製陶所). While her production is considerably smaller than that of Yamafusa, her bonsai containers have earned recognition for their elegant proportions, refined glazing and quiet sophistication.

Working within a family tradition spanning more than one hundred years, Hoshu combines the established techniques of Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼) with her own refined artistic sensitivity. Her work is characterised by clean architectural forms, carefully balanced proportions (均整), and beautifully controlled glazes that complement rather than dominate the bonsai.

Like the rest of the Koie family, Hoshu believes that a bonsai container should enhance the worldview (世界観) of the tree, creating harmony between container and bonsai through simplicity, functionality and timeless design. Her signed works are relatively uncommon and are becoming increasingly appreciated by collectors seeking distinctive examples of contemporary Tokoname craftsmanship.

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート

Works by Hoshu Otorifune (宝舟) are encountered far less frequently than those of Yamafusa himself, making them particularly desirable among collectors of modern Tokoname-yaki (常滑焼). This example beautifully demonstrates the refined standards of the Koie Ceramics Kiln, combining exceptional craftsmanship with one of the kiln's finest Deep Cobalt Blue Ruri glazes (濃藍色・瑠璃釉).

Particularly noteworthy are the clean uninterrupted profile, the almost imperceptible internal rim (内縁), the elegant integrated cut feet (切足), and the beautifully executed hand-incised Hoshu signature (爪描き 宝舟) accompanied by the additional hand-incised Koie inscription (鯉江), believed to have been added by Yamafusa. Together these features provide a fascinating insight into the collaborative nature of the Koie family workshop and significantly enhance the pot's collector appeal.

Combining refined aesthetics, outstanding functionality and exceptional Tokoname craftsmanship, this is an excellent collector's piece and a superb exhibition-quality bonsai container that perfectly embodies the enduring philosophy of harmony, balance and understated elegance.