LOOKING FOR A BONSAI POT...

by David Johnson

This is a brief report on the Tokoname leg of my trip to Japan of March 18-26, 2008. Tokoname, located south of Nagoya, is one of the pottery making centres of Japan.

Mr. Susumu Nakamura and his son, Makoto and I went to Tokoname to meet Mr. Fumio Hirano, a pot wholesaler. The Nakamuras were meeting Mr. Hirano for the first time only finding out about him after I requested re-establishing a pot wholesaler in Japan for the Toronto Bonsai Society as part of my trip. Reiner Goebel had previously organized the TBS's pot, tool and wire order with Showa Trading Co.; but that source is no longer available.

Mr. Hirano took us to visit 8 potters including one of the top potters in Japan, Mr. Nakano Gyozan. All of the potters knew and highly respected Mr. Nakamura.

Mr. Hirano of Hirano Toukiten Co. Ltd., only sells pottery, no tools or wire. He said that their catalogue price is the retail price in Japan. The wholesale price would vary with the order size and that there was no minimum order. For example, a pot order of $4000 would be the retail price of the pot and they would cover the normal shipping costs. I don't know if brokerage fees and duty are also involved when the pots enter Canada. Reiner or Gim Retsinas could answer that one.

After the order goes in, it could come in a month or so. If the pots are not available, then the potter would have to make them, which would add 2-3 months to the waiting period. The pots could arrive earlier if we choose to order them express delivery.

We can email or fax the order in english but a telephone call would be difficult to handle. I think we could use the Showa Catalogue colour translations. Mr. Hirano gave me a book with photos of Song Dynasty pottery as a colour reference. As for the Hirano Catalogue I gave Reiner, I got another one. I noticed that the Hirano Catalog is more limited than the Showa Catalogue. I think this may be be a printing cost issue. For example, if you wanted a larger version of the particular pot they have listed, it may be available if you asked using the Showa Catalogue as a reference.

Another thing I noticed was that when we went to visit one potter, he only had about 7 pots listed in the catalogue, but he makes dozens more styles and shapes. This would be valuable to know again if you were looking for a particular pot that is not in the catalogue: it still could be available.

I bought several pots while I was in Tokoname. The Hiranos packed them and they arrived safe and sound in Toronto even with sending them as checked airline luggage. The Nakamuras picked out about 30 pots while I was there, and they arrived in Yokohama in about 4 days.

The Hirano family was very warm and friendly. I think this personal contact that was developed over the two day stay can be valuable for future relations with this wholesaler. Mr. Hirano might go that extra mile to help fill special requests. Through the visit, he got to know me and I got to know him. He is also aware of our connection to Mr. Nakamura which carries a lot of importance in Japan.

I think the TBS should do business with Mr. Hirano. Mr. Hirano also has the advantage of living in Tokoname and being in direct contact with the potters.