TOKONAME

BONSAI POTS

常滑焼
Pottery has supported Japan's living for 1000 years.
Pottery continues to evolve based on a long history as well.
That is TOKONAME

There are no Bonsai masters who do not know the name of this pottery producing place
TOKONAME . Do you know why?

TOKONAME is one of the six Japanese old kilns that have continued to support
Japanese living for 1000 years. TOKONAME has always been close to people's
t o ko livelihoods by producing ceramics in a long history, supporting people's livelihood, and
has responded to changes in the times.

Some of these products require delicacy, artistry and scarcity like tea-ware, others are
durable like sewer pipes and some require high quality and large quantity production.
TOKONAME is from formal occasion instruments to public infrastructure of the feet,
we keep making various things according to the demands of the times.

This diversity of manufacturing is the characteristic of TOKONAME which has rare

technologies among the six old kilns.

TOKONAME rich variety of manufacturing variations and expressive power combines

both beauty enriching our lives and strength supporting living, creating ceramics
that can continue to respond to changing demands.

Our lives and the world of bonsai are the same. Bonsai pots of beauty , strength and
stable high quality cultivated with the infrastructure technology of TOKONAME will
snuggle closely with your precious trees and will continue to support them as they
n a me grow.

It is not only that. The technique created by craftsmen of TOKONAME has continued
to respond to requests from Japanese professional bonsai masters who have the most
yaki critical eyes in the world.

It also has artistry to respond to the creativity of bonsai masters and amplify it.

In other words, the TOKONAME bonsai pot is functional under the technology of the
bonsai master and supports the imagination artistically . It is a kind of marriage.
常滑土

TOKONAME is an important partner of bonsai

making from the daily care to the exhibition
The first generation of the BONSAI DAIJUEN founded in 1935 has a career that has t o ko
brought the KOWATARI to the Tokoname maker and was devoted to making pots in
TOKONAME .
Toru Suzuki Selection of pots tends to focus on thinking about the shape, tone and texture of pots
that attract the most beautiful tree shapes, but in the bonsai world where the longevity
Third head of BONSAI DAIJUEN
is respected. We believe it is very important that you have steady features to protect.
Mr.Saichi Created a Tanyoho
of Kuromatsu Bonsai, Because TOKONAME uses clay produced in the same area where we have bonsai n a me
driving force of Kuromatsu Bonsai gardens, There is a reliable sense of security that we provide the optimum environment
Mr.Suzuki 3rd generation is vice chairman
for protecting the trees we grow. I realize that every day I feel that I can stabilize the
of Nippon Bonsai Growers Cooperative, roots of trees and focus on bonsai creation.
chairperson of Nippon Bonsai Taikaiten
Also when pots are displayed at exhibitions they reflect the preferences of each bonsai
maker. However when preparing for exhibitions it is very important to use pots that
correspond to bonsai that will eventually be created and Tokoname bonsai pots, through
daily use, care and interaction, will help the bonsai makers imagination that I feel is a c l ay
dependable partnership.

The skill of a craftsman The secret of TOKONAME clay

who does not cause any distortion causing water to pool in a pot,
that is TOKONAME The clay used in TOKONAME is produced from the clay layer deposited under the hilly
land in the Tokoname area, as the place name has meaning always smooth in Japanese.
Mr. Fujikawa who trained under Mr. Masahiko Kimura, a master of contemporary
bonsai from the age of 20. While creating a work that makes you feel delicate and
beautiful in dynamic nature and in a tree shape Approximately 100 years old pot of The local Tokoname clay it is made from has the property of being vitrified at a low
Antique Chinese Pots with shallow depth is his favorite. temperature which differs from the clay of other production areas in that they need to be
In daily bonsai creation also TOKONAME is highly usable. fired to higher temperatures.
I think TOKONAME seems to be strongly faced with trees everyday as being a pots
designed primarily considering the growth of trees. Because TOKONEME is Masayuki Fujikawa
difficult for the pots to crack due to absorption of water.
Actually, it is thought that the clay of the Tokoname area which is fired at this low
The representative of FUJIKAWA HOSEI EN temperature is the element that produces TOKONAME excellence in functionality.
In addition, the flat bottom with no distortion produced by the craftsmanship of
TOKONAME is one of the very important elements to protect and nurture trees Won the Prime Minister s Award
of the 43rd Nippon Bonsai Sakufuten (2017)
and also with hundreds of years of history it can be said that it is a pots that can be The craftsmen of TOKONAME have been producing various kinds of tools to support the
used with peace of mind. Trophy official demonstrators (2019)
lives of people, producing optimum clay blending and firing methods according to the role
of products in history.

Wonderful skills and techniques for creating pots

TOKONAME has made it possible to produce products superior in functionality which is
that do not exist outside of Tokoname indispensable for bonsai that it is strong against frost damage while having water
Over the last ten years the appreciation of ceramics in the West has become an absorption, by such a good material, high technology and breath-ability is good, we believe.
important part of the pursuit of bonsai, and for those who look to pursue the Japanese
aesthetic, the gold standard is Tokoname.
Peter Warren The current generation of potters are revered as master craftsmen and their finest
works are sought after as the level of bonsai practice throughout the world increases.
Peter Warren is a London based British
bonsai professional who undertook a This is due to the usability, classical design and build quality of Tokoname pots.
traditional six year apprenticeship under
the world famous master Mr. Kunio The attention to detail and clay quality is unsurpassed in modern bonsai ceramic
Kobayashi at his nursery in Tokyo, production throughout the world, creating pots that are both incredibly light and thin,
Shunkaen Bonsai Museum. After yet strong and frost resistant.
graduating in 2009 Mr. Warren has been
teaching and working with enthusiasts Many of the more difficult to create shapes and sizes such as very large and shallow
around the world and establishing his ovals can only be found in Tokoname, as can the consistency of colour and texture for
own nursery on the outskirts of London. both glazed and unglazed pots.
These are skills and techniques that do not exist outside of Tokoname, making it
rightfully the recognised home and centre of excellence for Japanese bonsai ceramic
production.
 TOKONAME
黎鳳
誠山陶園

Inspire bonsai master's works

From an early age Tokoname Bonsai Pots growing up looking at the
making of a pot of his father SEIZAN representing the industry.

角山
SEIZAN is the leading expert who has worked hard to reproduce

角山陶苑
KOWATARI , and as a successor himself enters the world of pot making.
REIHO (Katsushi Kataoka)
Expert skills supported
It is the mission to inherit the will of the predecessor and to create a pots
SEIZAN TOEN
compatible with the aesthetics of the bonsai masters and to work without from bonsai fans all over the world
4th generation
Founded in 1889 doing any unnecessary work even though it has acquired advanced skills.
From the predecessor's father Yukio, learn advanced technology to make
The representative work is a White glazed pot that has been studying for high-quality bonsai pots by Moulded and Hand forming, inherit
many years since I was young. KAKUZAN TOEN.
It is highly appreciated by bonsai masters easy to match deciuous bonsai KAKUZAN (Kakuyuki Watanabe)
In addition, I have studied the Chinese Grey Clay with high evaluation in
enthusiasts as a pots ages it shows wear develops character and flavor. KAKUZAN TOEN
the bonsai world, and developed a Grey Clay with shades, depths and
4th generation
In addition, Nanban does not spoil the harmony between the trunk of Founded in 1887 texture that surpass it.
Bunjin and the space, directing the atmosphere that pots and tree There are many fans not only lovers of Japan but also overseas
withered together. enthusiasts.
Especially the unglazed pots uses Purple Clay developed in response to Although I have honed my skills to satisfy the needs of bonsai masters
the desire of enthusiasts, Grey Clay, using Shohaku Bonsai evaluation is and enthusiasts all over the world as well as in Japan, it is the my goal to
high as a pots that complements the heavy feeling of a wide range from create a work to meet further demands.
small items to large bonsai and make it with maximum consideration to
clay color / surface. I am conscious of Japanese traditional beauty and convey that
technology to future generations.

幸峰
角山陶苑
Finish bonsai pots from a functional
秀峰
義村陶園

perspective and support bonsai masters

Following the 5th generation of KAKUZAN TOEN which studied under his
Father Kakuyuki and lasted over 100 years.
Conscious of harmony between trees and pots, In addition to learning techniques of push molding and hand drilling, we
KOHO (Koji Watanabe)
enhancing the artistry of bonsai masters KAKUZAN TOEN
are pursuing the taste and color of pots that can not be brought out by
other kilns.
SHUHO (Hidemi Kataoka) 5th generation
YOSHIMURA TOEN Studied under his father, a 4th generational potter, SHUHO, learned various Founded in 1887 In terms of pottery, we value functional ease of use and practicality for
5th generation techniques such as handwork, Coil forming, Thrown, Moulded, and inherited bonsai masters and enthusiasts.
Founded in 1923 the project.
Bonsai pots say they want to support bonsai masters and enthusiasts
Pottery is one of the technologies that humankind is familiar with for a from the functional aspect of protecting trees and nurturing them into an
long time and enriches our lives, and when we can accumulate our own ideal tree shape.
ideas and techniques at the same time as having depth, we are constantly
I mainly produce a lot of works for Shohin Bonsai.
seeking evolution and also daily research.
Trees and pots are important components of bonsai, and assuming the
beauty when combined with tree is a necessary skill as a maker, but now
it is beautiful even if the pots alone is used he aims for something
beautiful.
We devised glazing methods and firing methods to create bonsai pots with
壹興

distinctive depth and are liked by enthusiasts pursuing contemporary bonsai

かね正製陶所

and innovative bonsai.

Creating good quality of clay and making
a pot with character
Since childhood I grew up watching my fathers, SHOZAN, bonsai pot
making, and I started to make Moulded, Slab Building, Coil forming and
Thrown.
英明

IKKO (Kazuhiro Watanabe) I thought that I wanted to establish a genre different from my father
燿山陶苑

SHOZAN who was good at large items and focused mainly on making
Elegant taste weaving,
KANESHO SEITOSHO
2nd generation small bonsai pots.
glaze inherited from the previous generation Founded in 1972
Now that the good pots of KOWATARI are decreasing, the most
important thing is to make good pots with character. To that end, he says
The founder of the previous generation, YOZAN refined his skill as
he is concentrating on finishing, paying close attention to creating work
Tokoname molding craftsman, and then opened the YOZAN TOEN
with good taste.
independently.
EIMEI (Hideaki Shimizu) The work which reproduced Chinese old pots made with such high
Mr. EIMEI succeeded the technology from the previous generation and is
YOZAN TOEN technical power is also popular with bonsai enthusiasts for its ease of use
active as the second generation.
2nd generation and high completeness and is often used in exhibitions.
Founded in 1965 What we are trying to do with this commitment is the balance between ease
The masterpiece is a rectangular pot with cloud feet made from red clay
of use and price, and sticking to the glaze we inherited from the previous
with glossiness which is different from red clay characterized by
generations.
sharpness of shape as well as with character.
The work boasts a variegated style such as small pots that are unglazed pots
The oval bonsai pots made from white clay which complements the trees
and colored with brush work.
with a gentle form becomes especially wonderful when the aged.
Mr. EIMEI Elegance that the unique glaze taste and sophisticated molds
produced are highly valued by many bonsai gardens and enthusiasts.
柴勝
柴 勝 苑

Listen to the words of bonsai masters

and enthusiasts and complete the role of pots
鴻陽／樹晃
鴻陽陶園

Commitment of bonsai master He really loves pottery and has a career in a different
background with entrepreneurship in his 20s. The
and embody conceptual image artistic nature of the pots is also important, but the
SHIBAKATSU (Katsuichi Shibata) role of pots is to grow trees first.
The first generation, KOYO was attracted to bonsai pots of KINYO and
SHIBAKATSU EN It is important to think about the good balance of
started working together with Omiya's bonsai garden to start creating a Founder
bonsai pot. Founded in 1973
drainage and the balance of trees and pots, which is
easy to grow trees in and demonstrates that this point
JUKO (Kuniaki Aiba) Mr. Kuniaki inherits technology and know-how accumulated since its is most important for pottery production.
KOYO TOEN founding.
3rd generation In making works, it performs extensively from unglazed pots to glazed
Founded in 1969 I believe that trusting bonsai masters and having their trust from bonsai is pots, boasts a wide variety of color / type variations centered on Shohin
considered to be an important element of bonsai pot making, and are facing Bonsai Pots.
daily work making.
Because it is making pots considering not only the molding technology but
Tree is the leading role, pots is a name supportive to complement the also the functional aspect, growth of trees, it has earned high praise from
leading role as the motto, trust from bonsai makers is thick. bonsai garden and enthusiasts.
As a feature of the work, glazed pots is unique and devised, the bone of
oribe glaze born from it is a work representative of KOYO TOEN.
山秋
片岡秋次製陶所

A creator who made numerous pots

and spread them all over the world
Founded by Akiji Kaoka in 1920s. Over the years, we have produced a wide
variety of products using Slipcasting or Moulded for various large and
small unglazed pots and glaze pots, and have been distributed domesticity
Hiroaki Inoue and overseas.

常滑焼
(Company Representative)
Particularly in mortars, light and well-drained porous, containing many fine
KATAOKA AKIJI SEITOSHO (YAMAAKI)
pores, products are the characteristic as well as the appearance there are
Founded in 1920
many fans in Japan and abroad.

Tokonameyaki Cooperative Association Once we were Tokoname's biggest bonsai pot manufacturer but currently
we have discontinued manufacturing.
TOKONAME
contact@tokonamebonsaipots.com

3-8, Sakaemachi, Tokoname, Aichi, 479-0836, Japan

tokonamebonsaipots.com