The Seizan kiln was founded by Kataoka Makoto in 1889 and is recognized by bonsai masters as a great potter. Seizan since its inception has worked hard to faithfully reproduce the old Kowatari pots from China. In order to learn about the Kowatari method, Kataoka Makoto studied in China for many years and was the designer of many of his own creations.
Currently the oven is run by his son Kataoka Katsushi or better known as Reiho. From a very young age he learned by observing his father’s way of making pots and his mission is to continue the will of his predecessor by creating pots following the aesthetics of the bonsai masters, without adding anything that is unnecessary, despite having acquired advanced skills.
A feature much appreciated by bonsai enthusiasts is that as their pots age, they show wear, character, and lots of flavor.
It uses clay from the Tokoname Cooperative. This clay is mixed by each potter in a different way depending on what you want to achieve.
For the unglazed pots, he uses both purple clay and gray clay, seeking to complement the feeling of heaviness of the tree, considering the combination of the size of the pot and the clay used.
During his more than 40 years making bonsai pots, he has also made enameled pots, his enamels being very clean, rich in nuances and elegant. However, in recent years he began to feel the depth, color and expression of bare clay, which has led him to practically only make this type of pot.
He is accompanied in the creation of pots by his wife Kataoka Mitsue who has her own stamp inside the oven. Her pots can be found at a very affordable price and how could it be otherwise, maintaining the quality of Seizan products.
It is no exaggeration to say that the history of bonsai in Japan is the same as the history of Tokoname bonsai pots and one of the important people who has supported that history is Mr. Reiho. Although he has been making traditional pottery for bonsai masters for many years, he is eager to make new and unique pots. As he says, his goal is to find an open-minded bonsai master who will use his work to create a new era of bonsai. Even now, beyond his 60th birthday, he tries to make creative pots by trial and error every day.
