Bonsai pot JTA8729 ISSO

From a young age, he showed a deep passion for mame pots for bonsai. It was in Showa 51 (1976) that he began to dedicate himself to creating these pieces. A year later, in Showa 52 (1977), he moved from Tokyo to Sayama, in Saitama Prefecture, where he still resides. There, he began his ceramic work more formally, building his own kiln in his workshop garden. His main activity focuses on the production of small pots, both wheel-thrown and hand-crafted. He also creates pieces using the yakijime technique, a high-temperature firing process that results in unglazed clay pots—literally “fired until sealed”—characterized by classic designs with smooth, simple lines. Although his glazes are highly regarded, achieving this level required considerable effort in developing his own glazes. Having no mentor, he nurtured his learning through the advice of bonsai enthusiasts and by consulting specialized books, integrating these influences into his work. It was Tashiro Yoshi who bestowed upon him the artistic name “Issou” in Showa 56 (1981); works prior to that date are signed with the name Munakata. Real name: Munakata Katsuo Date of birth: April 11, Showa 16 (1941) Issou belongs to a renowned family tradition of ceramic artists, alongside figures such as Horie Bikoh, Ichitaro, and Daisuke Sano.