Bunzan Pots

[Brian Van Fleet]

Echizen Bunzan pots are really hit-or-miss for me. I can't tell if he was brilliant, or prolific and occasionally lucky. Some of his glazes are a cool combination of colors, that end up looking like candy dishes, and some just "work".

I've been doing a lot of homework on pots, glazes, and potters over the last few years. The more I study, the more I see a method to his madness. I don't need a shelf full of candy dishes, but take a look at some of these interesting examples. Almost a Picasso-like interpretation of some very famous glazes:
Namako. Classic antique Chinese from Ryan's site:

Bunzan's deconstructed interpretation...one I couldn't pass up:

A famous Tofukuji glaze. Matthew Ouwinga is the current owner of this treasure:

Tofukuji made several containers with the hash mark pattern; usually accompanied by a drippy oribe glaze.
Check out this homage pot by Bunzan:

Here is another glaze, called Takatori-yu, a famous Cantonese glaze, difficult to produce. Of course Tofukuji perfected it (also from Ryan's site):

And the Picasso-style version from Bunzan:

So how about some more? Anyone have a Bunzan tribute and it's inspiration?

 

[Dav4]

I haven't pulled the trigger on a Bunzan yet. They can be almost glaring in their garishness, and they aren't uncommon at all, so I've never felt compelled to grab one when they become available...which seems to be almost every day. Still, the examples above show a softer, more appealing style that would be much easier to plant...I'll eventually get me one of those.

 

[Anthony]

Brian,

agreed, very beautiful, but as objects de art.

Unfortunately, many of these glaze effects are easily duplicated, by commercial glaze makers, and with time
much of this type of work will be forgotten, by being made common.

Still go I to Yi Xing for pots.
Thanks for taking the time to show.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[zachkent29]

Personally, his work appeals to me very much, as does abstract art in general. I have 3 small pots from Bunzan. I don't know where his inspiration came from for each but I will post them later today anyway.

 

[Don Blackmond]

these pots came from Matt O

 

[zachkent29]

Here are my three. I'd like to see which potters he was inspired by for these.

 

[yenling83]

I'm a fan

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

I got my first Bunzan this week! This glaze reminded me of something you would see from Roy Minirai with some red spots added in typical Bunzan fashion.

 

[Colorado]

I have one Bunzan! I really like it. It is my brightest pot. A nice pop of color amongst my 99% unglazed containers . A classic yellow crackle glaze:

 

[JeffS73]

I got my first Bunzan this week! This glaze reminded me of something you would see from Roy Minirai with some red spots added in typical Bunzan fashion.

The red spots where the glaze is thinner and the use of the same glaze without colourants underneath show true artistic intent and care in the making.

 

[JeffS73]

I have one Bunzan! I really like it. It is my brightest pot. A nice pop of color amongst my 99% unglazed containers . A classic yellow crackle glaze:

View attachment 453253

Love that yellow, sweet pot, and a nice composition.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Trident maple leaf shape.

 

[Tidal Bonsai]

Trident maple leaf shape.
View attachment 453258View attachment 453259

Accent for your sumo trident?

 

[StPaddy]

I picked up a yellow/red for a grass planting. Nice splash of color.

 

[Perplexody]

I got my first Bunzan this week! This glaze reminded me of something you would see from Roy Minirai with some red spots added in typical Bunzan fashion.

I really love this pot, I don't have a bunzan yet but one like this might just have to find its way to my collection one day

 

[penumbra]

Frankly, I don't like most Bunzan pots. As a potter and as a bonsai nut, I think they tend toward cartoonish. But having said that, every once in awhile I see one that I really do like. I have two matching ones in different sizes. I will get pictures sometime today.
There are some very nice pots shown here.

 

[amcoffeegirl]

I only have one but I do enjoy them.

 

[penumbra]

Here are mine.

 

[Grego83]

I have an unglazed which is apparently rare from what I've seen. I do like the rope lip and the rustic clay.

 

[penumbra]

I love naked clay ^^^