Ino Shukuho - Blue Sword Mokko - 8½in (22cm)

Japanese bonsai pot by Ino Shukuho. Sword mokko shape, external rim, moon feet, blue glaze over, seal of Shukuho and Koyo-En nursery (commission) underneath.

215 x 190 x 70mm (8½ x 7½ x 2¾in)

Informal information:

Shukuho pots always seem to be a cut above the rest. The form has a generous swell to it, and then the rim cuts with the points. The name "Sword mokko" is a reference to "Tachi-mokkō-gata", literally "Tachi cross shape", and it was used on the guard (Tsuba) of large swords worn by cavalry. From the shape to the feet and the glaze, this pot has both presence and a calmness suited to a fine tree.

This is both a larger pot and different to the excellent green glazed pots from Shukuho, and is a commission from the Koyo-En nursery.

Condition: used, some small chips to the feet (see pics), otherwise, excellent.

Ino Shukuho, born 1943 Kyoto. Real name Ino Yoshiki. He is the 3rd generation of his family making pottery, the 1st gen built a wood fired climbing kiln, the 2nd gen., Ino Kiichiro used the climbing kiln and sold items to the Imperial household and more importantly for us, was a friend of Heian Tofukuji. 

Both Tofukuji and the Ino potters were taught about bonsai pots and suitable glazes by Takeyama Fusao, previous head of the Fuyo-en nursery. The Fuyo-en stamp (Mt Fuji) is regularly seen on pots by Ino Shukuho and Aiba Koyo. Kiichiro and Tofukuji developed glazes together, most famously the green crystal oribe, and Tofukuji fired in the Ino kiln.

I have read that Ino Shukuho (3rd gen.) carves his pots from a block of clay, which limits the number of pots he can make. Although he no longer uses the climbing kiln, he is the protector of it, and has inherited and further developed his own glazes and painted works.

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