Tokoname Pot Questions

Dale Cochoy

I've seen some "signature pots" that are less than impressive. I don't pretend to know the inner workings of Tokoname potters but I know that there are plenty of uninformed buyers in western countries who will pay a premium for a pot with a signature. Even when the pot is flawed.


Yep! Ditto for European pots. Americans seem to have in mind that if it came from another country ( any country) it is better! When, in fact, some of the best bonsai pots in the WORLD are made right here in the 'ol US of A!
I can't believe what I see people pay for average pots because they came from Europe, for instance!
I often have a tough time biting my tongue from saying "I'll make you that pot for half that price!"
I often see folks buying a cheap, junky chinese pot because it has a "stamp" on the bottom. Who knows what it says or who stamped it, and who cares, if it's a $2 pot!
Also, I often see pot sellers advertising that they have a "signature" pot. Well, it doesn't matter that it's signed....what matters is WHO signed it COUPLED WITH it's over-all quality. As I jokingly often tell folks...."All my pots are SIGNATURE pots"!

Nomiyama's pot's are probably wonderful but I think it's worth stating that a great pot is a great pot because it is. Not because of the Hanko or the signature (engaging as they may be).

Exactly, but if it's got some scratching on the bottom.....Your average American bonsai student figures it's GOTTA BE good
Americans need to look for what makes it good, other than a stamp.

I was unpacking some Lotus proffesional pots the other day. These are probably the most market saturated pots in the world today. Well, one of them a metallic gold was just glorious. Tear drop on the foot and an exquisite mottled glaze.
And they're made by factory workers on a 10 hour 7 day grind.

Linsay, what percentage of those cheaper lotus pots have a "stamp" on the bottom. No matter what it says?
Regards,
Dale

P.S. I'll bet we get another group of pots pictured from people wanting to know who made the pot they just got off the club raffle table for $3

__________________
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If you want to be Different....
You have to DO something Different!
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Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again...
____________________________________________
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

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farrlinzee

Mark, I'll take some pics of the Cultural revolution pots soon and post them.


They are distingiushed by the fine quality zisha (purple sand) clay and fine workmanship. They were designed by the guy who owns Bonsai Kindai magazine.
Can somebody tell me his name?

He went to Shanghai in 1965 but they wouldn't let him go to Yixing so he stayed in a Shanghai hotel for 6 months while the craftsmen from Purple sand #1 factory travelled back and forth from Yixing while perfecting the designs. ( as told to me by Zane Jiang)

I saw them in Japan in the early eighties and was flabergasted at the prices.

I really symathise with potters like Dale. They are probably the most undervalued folks in Bonsai. I don't believe that I've seen a Lotus Pro pot with a stamp on it.
Americans need to remind themselves that they are priveleged to live in the greatest democracy in history and that they should celebrate themselves. start by buying American pots.

Cheers

Lindsay

I've gotta get a digital camera so I can do this stuff readily

bonsaial1

Here are two cultural revolution pots from China. I picked these up from a collector. I had seen some photo's from Farlinzee and I think one of these pots is in his photo.

Maybe someone can tell me what the Hanko says. These pots are about 6 inches across and about 1 inch thick. They are in my collection of Shohin pots and will never be planted.

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farrlinzee

Yeah Al, they look like cultural revolution pots from purple sand#1 teapot factory. I've been doing some research and learned that they were commisioned by Mr Sudo. Zane jiang say's
Mr.Sudo is the master of CHIKUFUEN Bonsai Garden. He is a very good freind and a business partner of MR.Tokuo who is the boss of Bonsai Kindai.

He also noted that purple sand #1 made 5 designs for the Red garden in Yangzhou during the Cultural revolution. These pots were between 50cm and 58cm but are not considered as collectable as the pots by Sudo's order. Zane also said that he was not aware of imitations being reproduced in Yixing.

Sorry I can't translate the Hanko. I'll get a digital camera soon and post my same pot and see if they match.

Shortly before Nixon went to china, Aussie PM gough whitlam beat him to it and was followed by astute aussie businessmen. One of them Lenny Bruce (no relation to the iconic NY comedian) bought back a huge shipment of purple sand#1 and Jun factory pots. To my knowledge no other consignments of these rare pots entered Australa. The shipment arrived in 1973 in the final years of the cultural rev.

Now for todays trivia question

What was the middle name of 60's r&b singer Bobby Bland?

Cheers

Lindsay

kcpoole

"Blue"

thank you Google

Ken

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farrlinzee

Sorry about that Ken I needed to cover myself for the blue font.

Cheers
Lindsay

zube

"I can't believe what I see people pay for average pots because they came from Europe, for instance!"

Of course. My last expensive pot was marked 'Europe'. Right on the bottom.
zube

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Dale Cochoy

Al,
Did those pots come in blue felt boxes?
Dale

__________________
________________________________
If you want to be Different....
You have to DO something Different!
__________________________________________

Some people NEVER take the time to do a job right the first time....
but, they always seem to make the time to do it over again...
____________________________________________
Dale Cochoy
Wild Things Bonsai Studio
Yakimono no Kokoro Bonsai Pottery
Hartville, Ohio

farrlinzee

Dale, I recall seeing these (cul rev) pots in fancy boxes in Kyoto in the early eighties.

Cheers
Lindsay