|
T H E S P E C I A L D I S P L A Y
In honor of our friendship and as a tribute to the historical ties between our communities, the North American Bonsai Pottery Competition is proud to showcase selections of Japanese bonsai pots, generously shared by the Japanese bonsai community.
|
S E N Z A N
MR. NAKAYAMA JUNICHI
Saitama Prefecture, Japan Outward-Rim Rectangular Polychrome Pot 2025 17.4 x 13.6 x 6.5 cm Inspired by Katsushika Hokusai’s original woodblock print series, Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, this pot features Under the Wave off Kanagawa on the front and Rainstorm Beneath the Summit on the back.
Katsushika Hokusai painted widely across genres - people, landscapes, warriors, dragons. Among his most celebrated masterpieces are works from Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. Though sometimes visually distorted, Hokusai brilliantly stylized and exaggerated them into powerful, dynamic compositions—almost like an Eastern Impressionism. His works still appeal to us today. The illustrations on this pot are based on woodblock prints published about 200 years ago in the Edo period. They were redrawn and kiln-fired after being recomposed in layout to fit the surface of the pots. Since the aspect ratio of the original prints differ from that of the pots, adjustments were made to preserve the atmosphere of the originals. |
|
|
|
|
|
A B O U T S E N Z A N
Mr. Nakayama Junichi studied industrial design at Nihon University College of Art before joining a mold-making company, where he worked in mold design. Alongside his career, he pursued personal interests in metalwork, Japanese painting, and ceramics. After retiring, he established a pottery kiln in Nagatoro, Saitama Prefecture, where he continues to create painted bonsai pots to this day. His work has been widely recognized, earning him the Gold Prize in the 16th Modern Small Bonsai Potters’ Work Exhibition (Painting Division), the Gold Prize at Taikan-ten, and the Silver Prize in the Glaze Division.
"In addition to ukiyo-e motifs, I also paint landscapes, nature scenes, dragons, and bijin-ga (portraits of beautiful women) on my pots. How should we regard these painted bonsai pots? Especially with polychrome pots, one might wonder whether they harmonize well with the planted tree materials. Perhaps the vivid decoration lessens the impression of the tree’s form. Yet, despite this challenge, painted bonsai pots remain popular. Many people appreciate them as ceramic paintings and art pieces on their own, enjoying the designs even without a bonsai tree. They are well received by collectors and art lovers." - Senzan |
|
T H A N K Y O U T O O U R S P O N S O R S
|
|
|
|
|
D I S C O V E R P O T T E R S I S P R O U D T O S P O N S O R T H E 2 0 2 5 N O R T H A M E R I C A N B O N S A I P O T T E R Y C O M P E T I T I O N
