Hand Carved Tokoname Clay Plaque by Kouji Watanabe
A striking Tokoname clay plaque by Kouji Watanabe featuring a hand-carved dragon relief with deep texture and darkened contrast in the carving. Made in unglazed red clay, this piece is designed as a display accent for a tokonoma, bonsai shelf, or studio wall, adding a strong traditional motif and collector-grade craftsmanship to any space.
Style and Finish
- Type: Display plaque, relief tile
- Finish: Unglazed red clay with natural firing variation
- Design: Dragon relief with carved detail and darkened contrast
- Marks: Maker stamps and carved characters
Dimensions
- Size: 5" x 3" x 0.25" thick
Display Ideas
Use as a backdrop behind a shohin display, lean it on a shelf, or mount it in a small frame. The dragon motif pairs especially well with rugged conifers, collected-style material, and dramatic deadwood compositions.
About the Potter and Kiln
This piece was made at Kakuzan Toen in Tokoname, Japan. Kouji Watanabe manages the kiln and is known for his skill in teaching wheel lessons to visitors and fellow bonsai potters, continuing the workshop’s tradition through both production and education.
Photo Note
Photos are taken in consistent lighting to show carving depth and clay color. Minor kiln marks, pinholes, firing variation, or small asymmetries are normal and part of handmade Tokoname work.
Learning Resources and Bonsai Tree Care Guides:
Bonsai trees are not all the same - and neither is their care. Read our specific care sheets for individual bonsai species. Read the Bonsai Care Guides
Shipping Bonsai Trees:
Bonsai trees are generally shipped on Mondays & Tuesdays to avoid having them stay in the boxes for any extra time over the weekends.
Shipping Non-Tree Items
All non-bonsai items such as bonsai pots and bonsai supplies are shipped within 48 hours of receiving payment. Most orders are shipped either the same day or the next day, depending on the time of day the order is received.
Important Guidelines:
** We cannot ship to a FPO, APO, P.O. Box or to locations in Alaska, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or anywhere internationally.
** All Bonsai are shipped direct from the nursery and may ship separately from other items purchased via the Bonsai Outlet.
** If extreme weather is expected, we may delay shipping your Bonsai tree to guarantee a healthy arrival; in such a case we will contact you. We are shipping living trees and must be conscious of the temperature conditions to the delivery address, as well as, while in transit. That said, we reserve the right to hold the tree(s) to guarantee a healthy delivery. We will Hold Your Tree Until It is Safe to Ship.
