Two of our favorite potters are Heian Kouzan and Tsukinowa Yusen. We have published several articles about their pots and wanted to show you a few more today.
Kouzan (平安香山編)
Such an interesting pot and Kouzan made of number of these types of lattice-work designs. We are going to assume he builds a basic pot structure and then adds the lattice work to the pot itself and then seamlessly blends the clay on the edges. However it is done it is quite beautiful.
Kouzan (平安香山編)
It is puzzling to us how he keeps the glaze from “bunching up” inside the lattice work. Perhaps that is why he uses the baseball cut out design as this would allow any extra glaze to dribble out and be cleaned up by the potter.
The color is quite nice – a very warm and relaxing color for such a strong pot design.
Kouzan (平安香山編)
A very typical clay color for Kouzan and the classic artist mark that we have seen on his pots.
So let’s look at a few Yusen pots. We hope to acquire one of these pots soon but these are perhaps some of the most expensive Japanese pots in the market today and in many cases out fetching Tofukuji prices; this is likely due to the fewer fake Yusen’s in the market today – it is much more difficult to replicate the marvelous paintings he has done on his pots.
Tsukinowa Yusen (月之輪湧泉)
We absolutely love everything about this pot. The design, the color, the patina, the painting is first class. One has to wonder how many years this pot was used to end up with the beautiful patina this pot displays. Be sure and click this image so you can see the details of his drawing.
Tsukinowa Yusen (月之輪湧泉)
It takes many years of use to turn this white finish into the dark brown markings we see on the bottom of this pot. A bit harder to see but this is his signature. You can check out the Table of Contents if you wish to see more of his artist marks.
Tsukinowa Yusen (月之輪湧泉)
A more typical painting to be found on Yusen’s pots. Notice that these two pots are identical in shape and size with this pot having what looks like a bit less use.
Also the use of ducks or geese in the distant is a recurring theme used by Yusen.
Tsukinowa Yusen (月之輪湧泉)
So let’s take a peak at the third and final Yusen pot for today.
Tsukinowa Yusen (月之輪湧泉)
A well executed design and highly detailed drawings. Our personal preference in his pots are the red design, much more difficult to execute because it is quite easy for red to turn to black during the firing process, but any of his pots would be a great additional to a personal collection.
Tsukinowa Yusen (月之輪湧泉)
Look at the seamless transition in this scene between the front and the side of this pot. Wonderfully executed thus allowing this pot to be viewed from any side to see a continuous outdoor scene.
Tsukinowa Yusen (月之輪湧泉)
Here is an excellent example of Yusen artist mark.
We wonder how many of you, if these pots were in your collection, would actually use them? We certainly don’t mind doing so for a show, but I doubt we would leave the tree in the pot all year long – would you?
We have shown trees in high quality pots, but that is rare as many of these pots we just wouldn’t take a chance of them being in public overnight. We are reminded of an individual who had a bronze tenpai accompanying his display and somehow that “got up and walked out” of the show. We are always blown away that someone in this small circle of bonsai and suiseki would steal from each other, but we have seen it over and over again. Anyway, we hope you have enjoyed the post.
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