Help hanko ID

[Dav4]

This is a pot I purchased from New England Bonsai Gardens 5 years ago. I was told it was made in a kiln in Tokoname that was no longer in existence. The pot has clearly been used and the stamp seemed rather worn...did my best to get a good picture. Let me know what you think. Thanks

Dave

 

[GastroGnome]

Dav,
In the boom years for Bonsai in Japan, there were a ton of potters whose names and kilns are no longer remembered, or important. You'll see this type of pot listed by guys like Yorozuen on eBay frequently, as "Tokoname". If its not from a well known or highly regarded potter, pots are then categorized by region, and are often signed or stamped, but the potter in these cases isn't important, rather that it is typical example of regional-ware. For example, there's a potter whose stamp is "Kouzan"(not Heian or any of the other Kouzans), whose pots are valuable not because they're by him, but because they're good examples of "Kyo Yaki"-Kyoto ware.
You could check with the current guy in charge of the Tokoname Yuyaku, Takeyoshi San, he's very helpful and always willing to answer questions. His email is on the Tokoname site.
Ryan
http://japanesebonsaipots.net/

 

[Dav4]

Ryan, I appreciate the information. Thanks again,

Dave

 

[nathanbs]

Ryan speaking of yorozuen on eBay what does the term "wabachi" mean. It seems that it I used when a later chinese pot is being sold

 

[GastroGnome]

Hey Nathan,
I believe I answered this in a comment on the blog. "Wabachi" is a catch all term. Means "Japanese Made". In other words: "We don't know who made this, but it's Japanese."
Ryan
http://japanesebonsaipots.net/

 

[nathanbs]

Sweet i will look up that post on your blog

 

[GastroGnome]

Nathan,
Wasn't so much as a post as a reply to a comment posted to the one "Wabachi" chop I have listed up on the database. Doesn't contain any more info than what I've given you here.
Ryan

 

[nathanbs]

Ok cool thanks