SHOZAN 松山 – Watanabe Shozo 渡辺正三 - 常滑 - 62.5cm Rectangular 長方形 – Unglazed 無釉 Reserved! J.A.V Spain!

Product Details / 鉢の詳細  Reserved! J.A.V Spain!

Region / 産地: Tokoname 常滑市, Aichi Prefecture 愛知県
Kiln / 窯元: Ichizanso 一山荘
Potter / 作家: Shozan 松山 – Watanabe Shozo 渡辺正三
Form / 形状: Rectangular（長方形）
Finish / 仕上げ: Unglazed（無釉）
Signature / 銘: Hand-incised Shozan signature（松山爪描き銘）

Description / 説明

An imposing large-format vintage Japanese bonsai pot （大判日本盆栽鉢） by the late Shozan 松山 – Watanabe Shozo 渡辺正三, from Tokoname 常滑市.

Measuring an impressive 62.5cm, this substantial rectangular pot（長方形鉢） displays the strong proportions and restrained aesthetic associated with Shozan's larger unglazed work.

The body has slightly outward-flaring walls （外開き）, rising into a gently rounded projecting rim （外縁）. The outer edge of the rim is finished with a fine raised border （口縁隆起線）, a subtle architectural detail that gives definition to the upper silhouette while retaining the pot's understated 渋み（shibumi）.

The substantial body is supported by four strong recessed block-form feet（四足・内込み角足）, giving the large container an appropriately powerful stance and excellent 安定感（anteikan）.

The unglazed Tokoname clay （常滑無釉土） has a warm, even brown tone and a smooth, finely finished surface. Its restrained natural variation creates an attractive 土味（tsuchi-aji） and quiet 景色, perfectly complementing the strong architectural form.

Despite its considerable size, the pot remains beautifully balanced. The combination of the broad rectangular silhouette, gently flared walls, refined 外縁, substantial feet and understated clay creates an excellent sense of 均衡・調和・品格.

The underside carries Shozan's characteristic hand-incised signature（松山爪描き銘）, adding particular collector interest to this large-format example.

Dimensions / 寸法

External Dimensions / 外寸: 62.5 × 48.0 × 14.5cm

Condition / 状態: Excellent（非常に良好）

A light application of oil enhances the natural depth and character of the unglazed clay （土味）.

Free Shipping to UK Mainland / 英国本土送料無料

Please note that the price on this pot is firm due to the considerable cost of secure shipping for a piece of this size.

About the Potter / 作家について

The late Shozan 松山 – Watanabe Shozo 渡辺正三 was a respected bonsai-pot maker from Tokoname 常滑, one of Japan's historic ceramic centres.

Shozan became particularly associated with traditional unglazed bonsai containers （無釉盆栽鉢）, including substantial large-format pots requiring considerable control of proportion, construction and firing. His work is characterised by restrained classical forms, carefully finished clay surfaces and a strong understanding of 用の美（yo-no-bi） — beauty arising from function.

Shozan also holds an important position in the Watanabe pottery lineage as the father and teacher of Ikko 一洸 – Watanabe Kazuhiro 渡邉一弘, who would become a highly recognised Tokoname bonsai-pot artist in his own right.

Shozan's surviving pots therefore represent an earlier generation of the Watanabe family's contribution to Tokoname bonsai ceramics（常滑盆栽鉢）.

Collector's Note / コレクターズノート

At 62.5cm, this is an impressive large-format work by the late Shozan 松山. The powerful 長方形 proportions, slightly 外開き walls, refined 外縁・口縁隆起線, substantial 内込み角足, and warm 常滑無釉土 give the pot considerable presence while retaining Shozan's characteristic restraint.

The hand-incised 松山爪描き銘, generous scale and accomplished construction make this an especially appealing example for a substantial mature bonsai and for collectors of traditional Tokoname pottery.