Signature Pots - "Chops"

TreeBay

Many high-quality bonsai pots are signed by their makers with a stamp called a "chop." This leaves a relief on the underside of the container in the moist clay, which becomes permanent when the piece is fired. Other makers inscribe their signature or kiln name in Kanji script.

I would be interested in starting a gallery of chops, of contemporary or antique containers. If are a potter or a grower and you have an interesting pot, please consider taking a photo of the pot and the chop and posting it here with any info you have about the maker, even if you don't know the source or exact history.

It would be nice to have an english-language reference on this subject.

Regards,

Matt

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bonsaial1

Thats a very good idea. I have some shohin pots that were given to me a few years ago by a Japanese fellow that my father knows. He told my dad that the pots were brought to america after the war, around 1947. The pots have a raised crab on them and a seal that signifies that they were made in occupied Japan. I will try to take some pics of them, but my cameras not that good on close-ups. I missed buying a bright red unglazed pot from Muranaka about 10 years ago. It was signed in a long verticle signature by the potter along with a chop, and had a tribute to Emperor Hirohito on the bottom also. He was asking about 300.00 for the pot, and obviously I could not affford it. Well.. that pot is worth about 2000.00 now, and I wish I had 2 of them. One to plant in and one to collect.

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