Japanese bonsai pots were born in Tokoname roughly 150
years ago. Today, the name Tokoname is synonymous with bonsai pottery and well
known around the world. Let us explore its history and the accomplishments of
our forefathers.
●The beginning
Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture, is known
to be one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. Its pottery-making history dates back
nearly 1000 years. Production of earthen jars and pots began in the medieval
age, red “Shudei” teapots appeared in the modern period and clay pipes, tiles
and toilets have been manufactured since the Meiji Period. As the first bonsai
pots in this history, it is said that plant pots for orchids were introduced in
the mid-1800s. They were produced in large quantities from the late Edo Period
to the Meiji Period, as demonstrated by the large plant pots that appeared at
the First National Industrial Exposition in 1877 and more pots from Tokoname
exhibited at the exposition several years later. However, that did not mean
that Tokoname became the center of bonsai pot production right away. Let us
look into the landmark developments that led to its rise.
● Meiji Period
The first development that fanned its
growth was the bonsai boom that spread in the early Meiji Period, first from
Osaka, then to Tokyo and around the rest of Japan. By the middle of the period,
Tokoname pots began to appear as pots made exclusively for bonsai plants. The
majority were round pots shaped on the pottery wheel but were soon followed by
rectangular pots, chiefly for bonsai use. Due to the popularity of
"Deimono*" earthenware pots among bonsai fans, the soil in the area
around Tokoname was probably best suited for the clay to making the
"Deimono*" bonsai pots.
*Deimono: Unglazed bonsai pot
At that time, Seto in Aichi Prefecture enjoyed overwhelming popularity
for its plant pots. Since the latter part of the Edo Period, Seto provided
plant pots in vast quantities to all parts of Japan, offering from elegant,
artistic pots to be presented to the homes of feudal lords to affordable pieces
for the common people. By the end of the Meiji Period, Seto plant pots began to
disappear. Mr. Takashi Furuhashi , a researcher on Seto plant pots, attribute
this in part to "Seto pottery in the Meiji Period losing the patronage of
the lord of Owari and other feudal lords that it enjoyed in the Edo
Period." Although plant pots continued to be made in Seto in the Meiji and
later periods, less and less effort was put into the craft in comparison with
the quality attained during the Edo Period, leading to a decline in pottery
craftsmanship.
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| Elegant and artistic Seto plant pots of Edo period. These pots are owned by Mr. Tkashi Furuhashi. |
● Taisho and Showa periods
The late Akiji Kataoka (also known as
Juoudo-shosen 十王堂 松泉, his professional name as a potter), founded Kataoka Seitosho
(later renamed Yama’aki) in 1920 and conducted research into old Chinese pots
with great diligence and contributed to the advancement of the quality of
Tokoname bonsai pots. The company's reference literature shows that pots from
his kilns bore the "Kinka-zoin" impression, a famed ancient Chinese
pottery brand, in 1927. Although the seal impression was placed at the request
of a wholesaler, it demonstrates that the quality he achieved at that time was
already so high that they could not be distinguished from their older Chinese
counterparts.
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| This pot was made by Akiji Kataoka about 100 years ago with "kinka-zoin" impression. This pot is owned by Mr. Tadashi Sekino. |
● Pre-WWII period
Although not widely known today, bonsai pot
production in Tokoname reached a high in the early Showa period, reportedly
peaking in 1932-1936. Under these circumstances, the first national bonsai
exhibition, Kokufu-ten, was held in 1934. With the rise in the demand for
bonsai, the variety of pots expanded, both in shape and color. The types of clay included, udei (grey clay),
shudei (vermilion clay), shidei (purple clay), kokudei (black clay), and
hakudei (white clay). Examples of glazed pots are namako (sea slug), kinyou
(sky blue), blue, and white. Shapes also were various, including round,
rectangular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal, hanagata (flower-shape), mokkou
(Japanese quince), and kengai (cascade style) shapes. The fundamental styles
seen in Tokoname today were already established at this time. With the outbreak
of WWII, however, bonsai pots, regarded as non-essential to the war effort,
disappeared.
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| It is said that this big pot was made in Tokoname as a fuel tank for Japanese battle planes at WWII. It is displayed at Tokoname Tonomori museum. |
● Post-WWII period
Demand
for bonsai pots recovered slowly from the 1950s and reached a golden age in the
1970s and 1980s. The post-war bonsai boom accelerated the spread of Tokoname
pottery across Japan. In the 1973 breakdown of flower and bonsai pot production
centers in Japan, Tokoname ranked at the top with a 50% market share. Despite
the subsequent decline in the demand for plant pots, Tokoname continued to
enjoy the top share of Japan's bonsai pot market. When Tokoname pottery gained
recognition as a traditional craft in 1976, its bonsai pots drew attention as
well.
The potters of bonsai pots during this period engaged in
experimentation, including improvements in the clay and the development of new
glazes. One such effort was the reproduction of ancient Chinese udei and shidei
clays. According to Mr. Katsushi Kataoka (professional name: Reiho), Tokoname
bonsai pots were made chiefly with shidei, hakudei and kokudei. There were udei
pots but not in the color seen today. His father and fellow potters decided to
create the finest udei pots and tested all types of clay found in the Tokoname
area.
Glazed pots saw improvements as well, with colors not seen in the prewar
days being introduced as glazes. The late Masakazu Shimizu (professional name:
Yozan), a prominent master of glazed pots, succeeded in the commercialization
of the first cinnabar bonsai pots in Tokoname.
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| Master Katsushi Kataoka, Reiho. |
● YAMA'AKI
There is no doubt that Yamaaki, the largest
pottery production operation in Tokoname, played a major role in the
advancement of bonsai pots from the region. More specifically, its
accomplishments were the creation of high-quality products that show sophistication
and dignity as bonsai pots in color, texture, shape, etc., as well as their
superb functionality as a receptacle for plants, and for paving the way for
mass production in factories. Yamaaki founded by Akiji Kataoka in the prewar
days opened its new factory in 1971. The giant gas kiln with its capacity for
100-200 large pots was fired 5-6 times a month during the peak period. Although
mass-produced, veteran craftsman attended each step of the production process,
finishing the product with care and attention. The company also worked on
improving pot breathability and reducing weight with the addition of sawdust to
the clay.
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| The huge kiln of YAMA'AKI |
● Export
Another point of great importance is that Yamaaki had the foresight
to pour energy into sales. According to Mr. Sadamitsu Kataoka (professional
name: Koshosen 小松泉), the founder's son, the company has been exporting bonsai pots
to other countries since 1950. He said, "I myself went to the United
States for a year after graduating from high school (around 1968-1969).
Initially, I was able to live in a trading company dormitory in a town near Los
Angeles and sold pots to bonsai vendors in America." Their products were
exported not only to the United States but also to Europe and even to China via
Hong Kong. He believes that Tokoname pots gained global recognition because
they were being sold overseas from that time.
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| Master Sadamitsu Kataoka |
Thank you very much for reading this blog post to the end!
