Bonsai pot JTA8463 SYUZAN

Syu-zan (舟山), the artistic name of Suzuki Shinji (鈴木真二) (1928–1988), was a prominent Japanese ceramicist born in Tsu, Mie Prefecture. Before dedicating himself to ceramics, he worked in banking until 1971, when he left his job to become a full-time potter. For approximately 17 years, he developed his production in Aichi Prefecture, in the Tōgō area, on the outskirts of Nagoya, where he established his kiln and worked until his death in 1988. Syu-zan is widely recognized in the world of Japanese bonsai for the high quality of his pots, many of which have been used in the prestigious Kokufu-ten exhibition. His work was deeply inspired by Nakawatari and Kowatari Chinese pots, which he reinterpreted with his own unique style, introducing variations such as greater depth, proportions adapted to Japanese bonsai, and a distinctive texture that combines roughness and refinement. He worked exclusively by hand and used the highest quality clays, notably imported clay from China, which he mixed with Japanese clays. He was particularly meticulous in his selection of materials and the finishing of his pieces, which is reflected in the high level of detail in his work.