Bonsai Pot / Mori Shunzan / Sansui Landscape Openwork

This bonsai pot is made by 15 members of the Seiyo-kai, a ceramics community in Kyoto that has been in existence for about 100 years.The auspicious pattern of cloisonne is applied as a golden openwork, a design that cannot be seen anywhere else. Please enjoy the handiwork of a well-known craftsman who has devoted himself to ceramics for a living.

Width：18.8cm
Depth：14.5cm
Height：8cm
Weight：713g

Clay

SHUNZAN MORI

"I don't seek rewards for myself. I hope they will come to the next generation."

His father supported and cared for many craftsmen in his workshop. Today, he feels blessed to have received kindness in return for the generosity his father showed to others. For this reason, he does not seek rewards for himself. Instead, he hopes to do what he can for the younger generation who will carry the craft into the future.

ARTISAN STORY

His family has been producing Kiyomizu ware in Kyoto since 1917, carrying on the tradition through three generations of craftsmen. Inspired by the philosophy of Ogata Kenzan, he brings a modern sensibility to the traditional openwork technique, which has been practiced for over 300 years. His works often incorporate seasonal scenes unique to Japan, such as cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, into the design of his vessels.

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Received the Excellence Award at the Kyoto Prefecture Crafts Art Exhibition
・Received the NIKKOKAI Member Award at the NIKKOKAI Exhibition
・Designated as a Traditional Craftsman in 2008
・Received numerous other awards and honors

KYO WARE & KIYOMIZU WARE

About 1,200 years ago / 800s / Heian Period (794–1185)

Kyoto ceramics reach back to kilns operating before and during the Heian period, then expanded with tea culture in the Muromachi and Momoyama eras. In the seventeenth century, Nonomura Ninsei perfected brilliant overglaze decoration, followed by innovators such as Ogata Kenzan, Okuda Eisen and Aoki Mokubei, whose diverse approaches shaped today’s Kyo and Kiyomizu ware.

In Japan, these ceramics are famous precisely because there is no single fixed style. Tea bowls, kaiseki dishes and everyday tableware may use overglaze painting, blue-and-white decoration, gold, sancai-inspired color and many other techniques. The craft sits at the heart of Kyoto’s culture of pairing vessels with cuisine and tea.

The surprising point is that Kyoto was never defined by a single major clay deposit. Potters drew on materials such as Amakusa porcelain stone, techniques arriving from other regions, and the tastes of artists and patrons gathered in the capital. Freedom from one local material helped make Kyoto ceramics unusually hybrid and stylistically diverse.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.