Size of Tokoname bonsai pots (measured in gou)

[ShimpakuBonsai]

I came across some info about the sizes of Tokoname bonsai pots which I could not find on this forum.
The text below is a copy of this website: http://www.tokoname.or.jp/bonsai/size.htm

In Japan they used to use "skaku and sun" which are the fundamental units of length in Japan. (They use the metric system now.)
"Shaku" is 30.3cm and "Sun" is 3.03cm. For the sizes of Bonsai Pots, they still use the unit of sizes called "gou" by using "shaku and sun" so that you can image how big the pot is approximately between maker and wholesaler. For example, "5 gou" is 5 times 3.03cm is 15.05cm. It means "5 gou pot" is about 15cm (135-165mm approximately) wide.




Based on the info above I also assume that the number of a Tokoname bonsai training pots (the number on the bottom of the pot) is the size in "gou".
I measured some of my Tokoname training pots and the size chart is about right.

 

[bwaynef]

That doesn't really make sense, since in your example gou lines up exactly with sun. A quick search indicates that gou isn't constrained to measures of length. It seems to be a reference to something that occurs in a series or in different sizes.

 

[HardBall]

I think it makes perfect sense. I don't speak Japanese nor have I searched what the terms mean but I infer that in the case of pots the gou, or series as you say, is in sun(s).

In the back of mind it seems like I knew something like this must exist. The size ranges made by many Japanese kilns seem to somewhat consistent leading me to believe that there was some kind of sizing convention or tradition. The chart kind of proves that out, right?

 

[literatipenjing]

By. the way, are pots measured from inside of a pot, or outside of its rim?

 

[Wood]

From what I’ve heard, pots are measured from the outside in Japan, because that is the relevant part for display