Handmade Tokoname Bonsai Pot by Kakuzan (Kakuyuki Watanabe)
A striking round shohin bonsai pot finished in a deep, layered blue glaze with natural movement and speckled character. The gently flared rim frames the planting area, while the star motif adds a subtle focal detail that feels bold without overpowering the tree.
Style and Finish
- Shape: Round
- Glaze: Deep blue with natural variation and speckled texture
- Rim: Flared rim
- Motif: Star detail
- Profile: Shallow to medium depth with a wide planting area
- Feet: Three feet
Dimensions
- Outside: 5.25" x 2.25"
- Inside: 4.25" x 1.75"
Best For
Well suited to shohin conifers, shimpaku, compact pines, and tight silhouettes that benefit from a darker frame. The deep blue glaze pairs especially well with rich green foliage and textured bark, and it also complements flowering accents without competing for attention.
About the Potter and Kiln
Kakuzan pots come from Kakuzan Toen, a long-running Tokoname kiln in one of Japan’s historic pottery centers. The workshop is rooted in generations of local ceramic tradition, with pieces formed from Tokoname clays and fired for the crisp, durable finish collectors look for.
Kakuyuki Watanabe, working under the artist name Kakuzan, is known for refined workmanship and sensitivity to traditional form and proportion. His work reflects quiet elegance through clean lines, balanced silhouettes, and thoughtful detail.
Selection Note
I visited the Kakuzan kiln in November 2025 and hand selected several pots in person. Photos included show the kiln and a visit with Mr. Kakuyuki Watanabe.
Photo Note
Photos are taken in consistent lighting to show glaze character. Minor kiln marks, pinholes, glaze variation, or small asymmetries are normal and part of handmade Tokoname work.
