Informal information:

The pot is classic Tosui - mould made, with an iron-rich slip over, with panels to each side that are finely painted by hand. Even for Tosui, these paintings are particularly carefully done in every regard. The brush strokes are exquisitely fine, the colours are delicate.

The subjects are very traditional, a literati scholar with his aide and a traveller on the road. The side panels have an art-deco feel but the suggestion is mirroring and symmetry, or balance and harmony with nature.

Ryokojuan pots come from a brief 11 year period at the end of Mizuno's partnership with Chotaro which produced many famous and important pieces.

Tosui pots span everything from mass produced items to the finest pieces available, this is at the latter end and marks a particular period in Tosui production.

Condition: Used, excellent.

Tosui, Mizuno Masao, 1904-75, from Seto. The Tosui line of potter is quite long and confusing, but this is Masao. He made the pots that were designed by Uematsu Chotaro. After Chotaro's death in 1959 he took over the name of Tosui, and from the age of 60 took on the name Ryokojuan.