Bonsai pot JTA8727 KUTANI SHOZO

Kutani Shozo (Syozo), originally from Kaga Village in Ishikawa Prefecture, established his own workshop in 1841 in Terai, his hometown. He is renowned for developing a refined decorative style of hand-applied gold brocade, known as the "Shozo style," which brought him great prestige. "Gold brocade" on Japanese pots is generally called kinrande (金襴手). This decorative style imitates rich brocade fabrics, using gold applied to the glazed surface of the ceramic. For this technique, gold details (often gold powder or paint) are applied to the already glazed and fired piece. A second firing at a low temperature is then performed to fix the gold without damaging it. The designs are usually very elaborate: arabesques, flowers, geometric motifs, or traditional scenes. His work also achieved considerable renown through its export. In some sources he is also referred to as Kutani Shōza, a name given to him by Shuho Sonoki. He died in 1883 at the age of 68.