Well our blog reaches another milestone today – our 150th blog post. Little did we know when we started in August of 2009, that some three years later there would be more fun stuff to write about. KJ and I would like to thank each of you for visting our blog and being a part of the love we have for suiseki and great bonsai containers.
With today’s post it seems only fitting to write about one of our favorite painted pots by Yusen.
Tsukinowa Yusen (9.7 x 7 x 3.5cm)
Our friend Frank was able to acquire this pot recently and add it to his increasing collection of highly desirable Yusen pots. This pot has been documented in the book Charisma Yusen & Kouzan published in 2006 and shown on page 26.
A great number of Yusen’s pots are decorated with highly detailed paintings of famous scenes depicted in early Chinese poems. Two of these have been documented on our blog and are highly fascinating stories in themselves. What we enjoy about this particular pot is its simplicity and the warmth we feel in the scenes painted on the pot.
Tsukinowa Yusen (9.7 x 7 x 3.5cm)
We are uncertain of the type of bird being depicted but perhaps it is the Plover which is known to inhabit Japan; thanks to Chris for pointing out the bird type.
Plover
The paintings on this pot capture the birds at rest and in flight.
Tsukinowa Yusen (9.7 x 7 x 3.5cm)
We appreciate the outlining that Yusen paints on his pots. It takes a steady hand to draw these lines so cleanly but yet personal – it is clear it is not assisted by ruler or as it would be today by computer.
Tsukinowa Yusen (9.7 x 7 x 3.5cm)
We don’t have photos of this pot set at an angle but two of the scenes are a part of a continuous painting with the scene from the 1st photo extending to the right side of the pot. A nice touch in our opinion.
Yusen Pot at Auction – (c) 2012 Mark Cooper
Mark Cooper who happened to be at the auction contacted us with the generous offer to provide a photo of the pot at the auction. Mark thanks for sharing and we will be sure that Frank gets a copy of the full resolution image.
All of us are fortunate that this historical pot is now in the United States after being in Japan for so many years. I have been discussing with several friends the need for us to put on an exhibit of fine Chinese and Japanese bonsai containers in America. I wonder how many of you might enjoy that and would be willing to attend.
I believe this would also be an excellent educational opportunity for many of these fine pots to be shown with a discussion on how to recognize the qualities of these pots along with their history. If you are interested, perhaps drop us an email or just comment below.
Our very best wishes to each of you.
Sam and KJ
Sam & KJ's Suiseki Blog (水石) 