Page 29 - BSAM 2018 Q2

the special request of practicing bonsai patrons, most likely from the religious class. Today, it is impossible to historically trace these unique, individual ceramics, and unfortunately, they now exist lost in translation and without credible means of specific identification, they are subsequently labelled by the known historical pots and potters, instead of their true historical path. (Figure 16)
The famous kilns of the period that did produce Japanese bonsai/garden pottery were tightly bound by their own unique and stylized production, which was significantly determined by the ruling class patrons and export demands. Consequently, they are now far more easily classified for modern collection by known and unique styles, for example: Imari, Kutani, Kyo, Satsuma, Shigaraki, Bizen or Omari wares. (Figure 17)
The techniques and skilled artisans of the Edo Period were clearly more than capable of making equivalent bonsai specific pots to match, if not rival, the expert Ming and later Qing Chinese Potters; however, there was no entrepreneurial motivation, domestic market, feudal workplace freedom or export opportunity to empower this change at that time.
Simply because the bonsai antiques of Edo and Meiji Period Japan are not easily personified by recorded history, should not impact on their rightful place in history and collectability. Contemporary Japanese bonsai pot collectors have known of the rarity and the unique contribution of Edo and Meiji ceramics and they treasure these items passionately. (Figure 18)
Increasing the global knowledge and scope of bonsai pot collectors and serious enthusiasts to include antique Japanese ware does risk pushing future economic value for these rare items even
Top; Figure 15 – Takemoto Harata 1848-1892, Japan. Collection of typically small, hand sized, drained bonsai pots. Note these are very rare examples of the very first Japanese bonsai-specific pots ever produced.
Middle and bottom; Figure 16 – age unknown but has been attributed to Taisho period 1912-1926, Japan. Takatori glaze from the early 17th C enslaved, Korean potters captured in the infamous Tea Cup Wars and working at modern Fukuoka. This solidly built rectangular pot with double drainage holes has classic early Chinese proportions, 32cm wide x 19.5cm deep x 13cm high. Note the construction techniques are overly strong for a garden or bonsai
pot and I suspect it was a commissioned piece made by a late Edo period potter who had little experience in producing a garden pot but was clearly a Master of the famous Takatori glaze. This pot is registered by Nippon Bonsai Association as a National Bonsai Treasure.
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