Clik here to view.
21 Questions for Kawauso Pottery and the Talented Roy Minarai
I started out thinking I was going to do an article about Kawauso Pottery(aka Roy Minarai on Facebook), but the interview stands well on its own. So, here it is in its entirety, along with a selection...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ino Shukuho, Part 2
Ino Shukuho is a legacy of 3 generations of potters, each with different styles and techniques. The current Shukuho, Ino Yoshiki, was born in 1943. His father, Ino Kiichiro, was a purveyor for the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bushuan 5
Shigeru Fukuda is one of my favorite contemporary Japanese potters, and has been featured numerous times on the blog. For previous posts, click here: Bushuan Posts. He is quite famous in Japan,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Shunka Seizan 3
This will be the third installment of posts on the great contemporary potter and painter Shunka Seizan, who has recently won several awards and continues to amaze me with his diverse talents. From...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Inoue Ryosai
After a long summer and fall hiatus while I’ve been actually DOING bonsai, I’m back this week with the first of several articles to be published before the end of the year. Thanks for being patient...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Shosekis!
With Heike Van Gunst Shosekis! (Part 3 of the Bang for your Buck series) Ishida Shoseki Ishida Shoseki was born in 1925, but didn’t start to create bonsai containers until 1969. At the age of 50, she...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Classical Glazes Part 1: The Many Faces of Namako
Dating to the Kowatari era, Namako(Nuh-mah-ko), or Sea Cucumber glaze, is one of many Classical Glazes still in use today. Along with Kinyo(baby blue), Ki(Yellow), Tenmoku, and various Canton glazes,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 11th Annual Shohin Pottery Competition (1)
Every year I look forward to Gafu Ten and the results of the big pottery competition and exhibition that is held there each year. For articles on the previous exhibitions, click the over to the Table...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 11th Annual Shohin Pottery Competition (2)
There were many other notable artists and favorites in this year’s exhibition who didn’t win awards. Let’s take a look at a few I found interesting. My friend Ruban Yu of Taiwan entered a nice...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ogurayama, Part 2
Karahashi Homiyabi was born September 5, 1920, in Kyoto. Before bonsai pottery, he helped with the family business making traditional Kyo-yaki ware. He started his earnest apprenticeship as a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
For Sale Page Updated and other Sundries
It’s been a busy year, so I haven’t had time to update much of anything, or publish any articles. I’ve been traveling frequently lecturing around the country at clubs and events, and working on a book...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New Beginnings and New Revisions
As many of you know, I’ve been faced with some major health issues over the last couple of years. After the coup de grace of those issues last week, I’ve decided to spend more time fixing some of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Getting Sexy with Pots(Part 1)
After a very long health related hiatus, I figured this first post should be something sexy….real sexy…..That’s right! We’re going to discuss “sexing” Bonsai containers today. Alas, we won’t be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Quick Look at Really Bad Forgeries, or, Exposing The Man Behind the Curtain
It’s almost common knowledge these days that there are many forgeries of Japanese potters’ work. I’ve even heard some claim that there are more fake pieces than real containers when it comes to some...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 12th, 13th, and 14th Annual Contemporary Kobachi Artist Exhibition
I was away from writing for so long I missed 3 entire years of The Annual Kobachi Exhibition which I have written about since it’s 7th year. The reports from The All Japan Shohin Bonsai Association...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The 15th Annual Contemporary Kobachi Artist Exhibition Part 1
I look forward every January to the Gafu Ten exhibition and the results and images of the major pottery competition held there/ The Contemporary Kobachi. For articles on the previous exhibitions,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The 15th Annual Contemporary Kobachi Artist Exhibition Part 2
There were many notable entries other than the winners this year, a couple of which would definitely have been in contention for gold had it not been for accidental breakage before judging. Roy...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Joshu Katsuyama: Bang for your Buck Potters Part 3
He was born Ogiwara Katsuyoshi on December 8, 1937.At first, he went by the artist/kiln name Ogiwara Shouzan, then changed it to Joshu Shouzan. He finally settled on Joshu Katsuyama, which is great...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Modern Containers, Traditional Motifs Part 1
Like bonsai itself, bonsai pottery is filled with classical designs and traditional motifs. Visual motifs like paintings and carvings on bonsai containers often come from famous paintings, poems, and...
View Article