cracked pots

i was looking at some pots on ebay

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3pcs-Bonsai-Mini-Octagon-Stone-Ware-Pot-Kasama-Red-Set-Artist-Signed-BS11-/400897582609?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

and asked the seller if any of them are cracked (as one of them appears to be)...

here is part of his reponse:

One of them has two cracks(inside and outside) called "kamakizu". They were occurred during kiln process, and many people in Japan don't regard them as cracks.

sounds like if you just give a defect a japanese name, it can then be passed off as acceptable... ?

curious to hear others thought on this

Wow always something new to learn. Yup according to several web sites these pots have cracks during the kiln process and are not normally thrown away. Did not see if there is an impact on the value.

i can understand not throwing them away...
but giving it a name to make it seem like something more than what it is just seems like "polishing a turd"

Kevin how do you say crack in Japanese? It is not glorified, just descriptive.

OTOH, here seem to be a lot of crackpots in bonsai circles.

I was going to say, I've been called kamakizu more than once.

DougB wrote:Kevin how do you say crack in Japanese? It is not glorified, just descriptive.

sorry, but i disagree...
mainly because the seller said: "many people in japan don't regard them as cracks"
so it sounds to me that they do have a different word for crack in japanese

btw, i don't speak japanese... i'm just an uncultured, stupid, clumsy 'merican

Kamakizu. Can you say, "new screen name"?

OK guys edumakation time. Study this website.

does "glancing" count as "studying" ?

looked like a bunch of japanese names for unintentional defects...

granted some unintenional defects can add interest to a piece of pottery,
but in my eye, a crack is a crack and an accidental break is an accidental break, etc...

so i guess its just a language thing...

so now the english speaking potters need to come up with a term in order to describe defective pottery in order to make it seem somehow more desirable or attractive...

btw - no offense intended by anything i say doug !
(and i am sure that many will find the link useful in feeding their hunger for all things japanese)

Oh, we already have plenty of alternate names for those sorts of things: reworked, option, incidental embellishment (which is my favorite), feature, added interest, free upgrade, one-of-a-kind... Some of these names should have been around when the liberty bell was made, so we could say it was given an alternate ring tone at no extra charge.

incidental embellishment
my fav too, now !

My personal taste - they are cracked pots, definitely not freeze thaw resistant and to my mind something I would never buy, even if they were cheap. Well, most likely not buy, but if it was a crazy wonderful pot, maybe I''d over look the cracks. But in general, I'd say save your money.

You guys have already out-done my capabilities to crack a pot joke.

Leo Schordje wrote:You guys have already out-done my capabilities to crack a pot joke.

whaddya talkin' about ???

you squeezed two drug references into one sentence !!!

beer city snake wrote:

Leo Schordje wrote:You guys have already out-done my capabilities to crack a pot joke.

whaddya talkin' about ???

you squeezed two drug references into one sentence !!!

beer city snake wrote:

incidental embellishment
my fav too, now !

Now I got a new knowledge of how to say kamakizu in English
Seriously, if I were you I wouldn't bet on it for two reasons.

1. One of kamakizu is seemed a fatal defect by observing the first photo(top right).
To me,  the outside kamakizu is  too noticeable.
2. I am picky.

I doubt the seller's response…I am not one of those "many Japanese  don't …", crack is crack. I do care.
It may depends on kamakizu's size, depth and place. Kamakizu tends to appear inside and  bottom of pots.

Kevin,

I have a few pots with dither, that lend to the tree's quality.
Cracks would probably have to be mended if they would split the pot in two.

Depends on the tree to pot mating.

However, pots with cracks, usually end up with names of the maker, as do unusual body or glaze qualities, and probably would be pieces for display and not use.
A lot of that would be hooey, but a very rare few would be collector's items.

As usual - disposable income - very high, buy as you wish, lower, what you can afford or spare.

BONSAI IS A RICH PERSON"S HOBBY!!!!!

Which is why I use seeds, saplings, home dug/processed clay and home made compost.
I am cheap!!
Money is for when the health fails.

Have fun with Art Collector Groupies.
Khai.....

A Russell Coker put it back in 2010, Wabi Sabi - ask the Architects
Or a poor man fantasizing a tiny backyard, into what he wishes he had.

thanks nekotoban for the "local" point of view

and yes khai... it does seem to be a rich person's past-time...
but it sure is fun to dance around their periphery and poke them with pointed sticks (aka verbal barbs)

PUNK ROCK PIRATE BONSAI !!! !!!

I think I'd shy off myself. Pots that have been broken or cracked can however be repaired such as in Kintsugi using other, non ceramic materials:

https://www.lifegate.com/people/lifestyle/kintsugi

Admittedly my concern would be how well this can stand up to the stresses that a bonsai pot must endure with UV exposure, freezing and thawing, pressure from expanding tree roots, etc. It may only be really practical to use for a favorite pot you want to fix up that you dropped - but would only use for display, afterwards? I would think using a black or dark brown filler would be better than the more traditional 'gold' though.