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It is exciting to witness the standard of bonsai across Europe continue to rise. Enthusiasts now access higher quality material, have better instruction and are taking their trees to ever greater levels of refinement. An inevitable consequence of this is that more enthusiasts and professionals are showing a deeper interest in the finer elements of bonsai design, including the most suitable bonsai pot for their bonsai. It is wonderful to see so many more people now collecting and / or wanting to know more about bonsai pots and how to use them to bring the best out in their trees.
To quench this thirst, the larger exhibitions around Europe are becoming increasingly bonsai pot focused - with more pot building demonstrations and lectures, and more traders selling pots. To support this and as a way of sharing superb works with friends and the public, the EBPC now also designs and provides displays of fine European and Asian bonsai ceramics at many of Europe's leading exhibitions
Bonsai pot displays have long been admired at the famous exhibitions in Japan, as a tool for learning and appreciation, and as European standards continue to rise, we hope these displays will be appreciated and provide further insight into the fascinating world of bonsai pots, as well as adding another interesting facet to the bonsai exhibitions.
To quench this thirst, the larger exhibitions around Europe are becoming increasingly bonsai pot focused - with more pot building demonstrations and lectures, and more traders selling pots. To support this and as a way of sharing superb works with friends and the public, the EBPC now also designs and provides displays of fine European and Asian bonsai ceramics at many of Europe's leading exhibitions
Bonsai pot displays have long been admired at the famous exhibitions in Japan, as a tool for learning and appreciation, and as European standards continue to rise, we hope these displays will be appreciated and provide further insight into the fascinating world of bonsai pots, as well as adding another interesting facet to the bonsai exhibitions.
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Trophy 2026
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Please click on each title below to read more ...
SUMMARY - Trophy Bonsai EXHIBITION 2026 - EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST & SENZAN DISPLAY
Once again, Europe's most popular bonsai exhibition celebrated in style in February 2026. In addition to the magnificent show of exceptional bonsai trees from around Europe, were world class demonstrations by leading Japanese artists, father and son 'team Suzuki.
The EBPC is proud to organise exciting ceramics events each year at the Trophy Exhibition.
This year's exhibition saw a number of pottery event 'firsts' in the west, with: an honorary display of the finest Japanese bonsai pottery ever displayed outside of Asia, the first pottery painting demonstration by a leading Japanese artist, the first display of winning American pots in Europe, and not to mention of course, the first European Bonsai Pottery Contest!
The pot display, was a celebration of the passion of both European potters and collectors. At almost 200ft in length, the pot display consisted a central 'honorary' display, with the European Bonsai Pottery Contest to one side, and a 'collector' category on the other.
The EBPC is proud to organise exciting ceramics events each year at the Trophy Exhibition.
This year's exhibition saw a number of pottery event 'firsts' in the west, with: an honorary display of the finest Japanese bonsai pottery ever displayed outside of Asia, the first pottery painting demonstration by a leading Japanese artist, the first display of winning American pots in Europe, and not to mention of course, the first European Bonsai Pottery Contest!
The pot display, was a celebration of the passion of both European potters and collectors. At almost 200ft in length, the pot display consisted a central 'honorary' display, with the European Bonsai Pottery Contest to one side, and a 'collector' category on the other.
Displays by 30 European potters were exhibited, alongside 20 displays from collectors of bonsai ceramics from around the world.
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EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST
The majority of the pottery exhibition was devoted to European Bonsai Pottery Contest.
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Displays by 30 talented bonsai ceramists were exhibited, with a fascinating diversity in materials, forms and finishes. As well as traditional clay and porcelain, more innovative materials (for bonsai) were used, including sculpted solid stone and Terrazzo. The quality of exhibits was highly commendable, with artists displaying their finest works. It was a delight to witness such a wide variety of the highest quality bonsai ceramics from around Europe. |
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COLLECTOR CATEGORY
The right side of the pot exhibition was reserved for exhibits by European bonsai pot collectors.
This area displayed pieces owned by pot collectors from all over Europe. Included were a selection of old Japanese pots, and some old pots from China, as well as contemporary and modern pots from Europe and Asia.
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Congratulations to Harald Lehner, Germany
for being awarded 1st place in the 'Collector's category'!
for being awarded 1st place in the 'Collector's category'!
... with this trio of commemorative pots by the recently deceased great, Nakano Gyouzan of Japan.
HONORARY DISPLAYS - SENZAN & NABPC
Article coming soon.
SENZAN DEmonstration & talk
Article coming soon.
EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST 2026
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UNGLAZED - 1st Place - Juri Martens, Germany EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST
Congratulations to Juri Martens of Germany!
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First place in the unglazed category of the European Bonsai Pottery Contest 2026 was awarded to 'Juri Martens', Germany, for this chuhin sized unglazed oval. 
Juri Martens receives award from Mr Nakayama Senzan.
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The pot is a deep design of unglazed oval, with stepped feet and banding in relief. The shudei / red clay has a patinated effect with darker tones that give the pot an aged appeal. |
GLAZED - 1ST PLACE - Niels Van der wal, Netherlands EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST
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Congratulations to Niels Van der Wal, (Fusion Ceramics) Netherlands!
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First place in the glazed category of the European Bonsai Pottery Contest 2026 was awarded to Niels Van der Wal, (Fusion Ceramics) Netherlands for his glazed composition.
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The display features a pot intentionally damaged and one that survived the mayhem. This clever rendition of Goku's signature fireball in Dragon Ball Z proved very popular with the crowds.
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DECORATED - 1ST PLACE - Martin Englert, Germany EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST
Congratulations to Martin Englert, (Englert Keramik) Germany!
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First place in the decorated category was awarded to 'Martin Englert', Germany, for this stunning trio of painted porcelain pots. 
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Martin's exhibit featured a trio of round porcelain pots painted in 5-colour designs.
‘Rats coming to town’. 10,8 x 4,4 cm ‘Friendly Dragon’. 14,9 x 6,9 cm ‘Three Seasons’. 14,1 x 6,4 cm |
The pots are expertly formed, and the quality of the painting greatly impressed all of the judges. Emotive scenes portray an excellent level of detail, and combine very fine brush strokes with seemly shading.
It is exciting to see a quality of painted pots from Europe, that would rank highly amongst leading Japanese artists.
It is exciting to see a quality of painted pots from Europe, that would rank highly amongst leading Japanese artists.
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OVERALL. - 1ST PLACE - MARTIN ENGLERT, GERMANY EUROPEAN BONSAI POTTERY CONTEST
Congratulations to Martin Englert, (Englert Keramik) Germany!
First place overall was also awarded to 'Martin Englert', Germany, for this stunning trio of painted porcelain pots.
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CONGRATULATIONS to Martin for his exquisite display, and for winning the first European Bonsai Pottery Contest!
Thank you to all of the artists for participating in this historic event, and congratulations to the winners.
Thank you to all of the artists for participating in this historic event, and congratulations to the winners.
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Trophy 2025
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Please click on each title to read more ...
Trophy Bonsai EXHIBITION 2025 - EBPC POT DISPLAY.
Europe's most prestigious bonsai exhibition celebrated its 25th anniversary in February 2025.
The Silver Jubilee Exhibition celebrated the best of all thing bonsai, offering the chance to see many of the best trees currently in Europe, an exhibit of superb Suiseki (viewing stones), and world class demonstrations, by: Koji Hiromatsu (Japan), Ryan Neil(U.S.A.), and Mauro Stemberger (Italy).
The pot display, organised by the EBPC, was an inspirational expression of the passion of both European potters and collectors. At almost 200ft in length, the pot display consisted a central 'honorary' display, with an 'artist' categories to one side, and a 'collector' category on the other.
The Silver Jubilee Exhibition celebrated the best of all thing bonsai, offering the chance to see many of the best trees currently in Europe, an exhibit of superb Suiseki (viewing stones), and world class demonstrations, by: Koji Hiromatsu (Japan), Ryan Neil(U.S.A.), and Mauro Stemberger (Italy).
The pot display, organised by the EBPC, was an inspirational expression of the passion of both European potters and collectors. At almost 200ft in length, the pot display consisted a central 'honorary' display, with an 'artist' categories to one side, and a 'collector' category on the other.
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Displays by 30 European potters were exhibited, alongside 20 displays from collectors of bonsai ceramics from around the world.
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TROPHY '25 - ARTIST CATEGORY
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The right side of the pot exhibition was dedicated to the work of European bonsai potters. Displays by 30 leading bonsai ceramists were exhibited, with an exciting and vast diversity in materials, forms and finishes. From traditional shapes and finishes, to modern, avant garde concepts, it was a pleasure to behold such a wide variety of the highest quality bonsai ceramics from around Europe. |
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A few of the entries (in no particular order) that drew particular attention included:
'Vasart', Italy.
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'Kawasemi', Switzerland.
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Sami Amdouni, France.
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'Shibusa', Italy.
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'Englert Keramik' Germany.
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Ian Baillie, Scotland.
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TROPHY '25 - COLLECTOR CATEGORY
The left side of the pot exhibition, was reserved for displays by European bonsai pot collectors.
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Here, pot collectors from all over Europe displayed some of their finest bonsai ceramics. The origins of these pots ranged from: Europe, Japan, U.S.A., Thailand, China, and Taiwan. 
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Trophy '25 - The Winners
TRophy pot display winner - İlknur GÜNEŞ DAĞ
Congratulations to Ilknur Güneș Dağ of Turkey!
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First place in the Trophy pot display was awarded to 'Yalova Bonsai Museum', Turkey, for this wonderful ceramic bonsai pot - made and painted by Ilknur Güneș Dağ, with traditional tile pattern from Iznik, that dates from the Ottoman era. 
Alex with representatives of Yalova Bonsai Museum.
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This interesting pot was beautifully made in a classic round form, and is decorated in a rich red with high-quality painting in a culturally rich design.
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Gyouzan Prize - Glazed - Jose Guerao
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Leading Japanese bonsai potter Gyouzan - Yukizyou Nakano, kindly provided 2 additional prizes, to be awarded to 2 high performing European artists for glazed and unglazed work.
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The Gyouzan prize for 'glazed pots' was awarded to Jose Guerao of Spain for this wonderful display for three rectangular bonsai pots in magnificent glazes.
To the right, Jose is being awarded his prize by Trophy organiser, Roald Velms. The pot was made by Gyouzan and painted by his wife. Jose Guerao has studied in Japan under Gyouzan, so this was an especially important prize for him. |
GYOUZAN PRIZE - UNGLAZED - Me&raimondi
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Leading Japanese bonsai potter Gyouzan - Yukizyou Nakano, kindly provided 2 additional prizes, to be awarded to 2 high performing European artists for glazed and unglazed work. The Gyouzan prize for unglazed pots was awarded to Matjaz Raimondi of 'Me and Raimondi', Slovenia. |
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The design of this pot, called 'Otto', is a formal geometric octagonal semi-cascade, with feet integral to the body and a warm burnished finish. For this work, Matjaz was awarded an unglazed hand-signed shohin pot made by the master Gyouzan. |
Trophy '25 - Honorary pot displays.
Stone Monkey ceramics
Many of his friends shared thoughts and memories of Andrew and the chance to see this exceptional display, and contemplate the life of this inspirational artist was greatly appreciated by many.
Rest in peace my friend. |
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TROPHY MEMORIAL GIFT POTS
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250 'Trophy Memorial' pots were created by 5 potters - as gifts for everyone that exhibited a tree, suiseki or pot in this year's exhibition!
Each pot is numbered, wrapped in cloth and comes in a wooden box with a wax stamp especially made for this edition.
A wonderful memory of the event. Thank you to the 5 potters and everyone involved.
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PETER KREBS
One highly respected artist was invited to display his work this year outside of the 'competitions', in an honorary display, to celebrate this great artist's lifelong achievements in bonsai ceramics.
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Born in 1943, Peter Krebs became a self-taught potter in the 1970s out of his enthusiasm for bonsai and antique pots and developed masterly skills over many productive years. Studying old Chinese pots was always very important to him. Peter Krebs is possibly the only bonsai ceramist to have mastered all known decoration techniques. Whether carving, inlay, engobe, glaze painting, modeled reliefs, unglazed pots with special surfaces or self-developed glazes, his pots have always been of strikingly high quality and accordingly sought after. In all important exhibitions in Europe you will see trees in Krebs pots, and his bonsai pots have been sold all over the world. |
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After a long career and life as a potter, Peter Krebs retired to private life years ago. He has reduced his pottery work, but by no means given it up. His current works, especially the elaborately painted pots, are of sensational beauty and a selection was awarded a prize at the Taikan-ten 2023 in Kyoto.
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We would like to thank Peter for agreeing to display his work at the EBPC Trophy pot display, and for making it possible for thousands of people to have the chance to admire these incredible works of art. |
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The 5th Expo Bonsai U.K. 2024 |
Crawley, England. 14th April 2024
Each year the EBPC are invited to put on a display of high-quality bonsai ceramics for this fantastic event, and are honoured to share our passion for great bonsai ceramics with you in this way.
In 2014, a display of painted porcelain pots was created, by the highly regarded Seto potter and painter - Itou Gekkou.
Pots by great masters as this are becoming rarer to see, so we hope everyone enjoyed the pots in this display.
In 2014, a display of painted porcelain pots was created, by the highly regarded Seto potter and painter - Itou Gekkou.
Pots by great masters as this are becoming rarer to see, so we hope everyone enjoyed the pots in this display.
伊藤月香編
ITOU GEKKOU EDITION
A display of porcelain painted pots by Itou Gekkou.
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Born in Seto in 1939, Itou Gekkou has been painting pots bonsai since 1959. His works are very highly regarded and houses trees in the premier bonsai exhibitions worldwide.
I chose this artist for this display as he is a great one to study, if you want to learn about high quality bonsai pots. And Expo is all about furthering understanding in all aspect of the display of bonsai. Gekkou is a very popular artist who produces refined hand-painted pots, each painted stncil-free to a high level of detail. He is however not one of the 'three all time greats' of painted pots, so his pots do not command multiple thousands of pounds and are therefore still reasonably attainable to the discerning collector. (Unlike the 3 greats, which for me at least are to expensive to buy one, let alone collect!) |
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Seto is often referred to as the home of Japanese ceramics ... Setomono (Seto thing) is a common term for ceramics! .. and Gekkou was born in to a family of bonsai ceramics, with connections to other celebrated artists of the time. He trained largely under the Sansyu Ichiyo, revered for his Antique Chinese homage pots.
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Itou Gekkou
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Reads ... Gekkou’s paintings are inspired by the great Tsukinawa Yusen, and although they display an impressive range of imagery, Gekkou specialised in ‘sansui’ 山水or mountain / water scapes, as per his inspiration, Yusen.
Please take advantage of this rare opportunity to study a wide range of pots by this wonderful artist. Becoming skilled at recognising the pot characteristics and painting style, helps us identify genuine pots. As one of the most collectible but also copied of artists, Gekkou is a great one to get to know!
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The Trophy Bonsai Exhibition 2024Limburghal, Belgium 17th - 18th February 2024
In February 2024, The Trophy Exhibition once again celebrated the high quality of European bonsai ceramics with a magnificent 100ft display of ceramics from the leading bonsai potters of Europe.
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Winner - Patrik Luthi of Switzerland.
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The winner of the Trophy EBPC Pot Display 2024 was by Patrick Luthi of Switzerland, with this magnificent Oribe crystalline glazed ceramic bowl, inset in bespoke wooden stand. Congratulation to Patrick for the seamless execution of this technically complex and challenging piece. The bespoke made wooden stand is optional for display, so the pot is functional for bonsai, excels technically, and is a beautiful object to behold! |
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2021 Online Trophy ExhibitionWe hope you managed to watch the online version of Europe's most prestigious Bonsai Exhibition
This year, due to restrictions, 'The Trophy' 2021 was held ONLINE, and was an epic extravaganza of high quality bonsai! There was an interesting variety displays, talks, demos and everything in between! The Trophy’s EBPC Pot display A huge thank you to all of the Bonsai Association Belgium team and everyone involved for a delightful weekend. |
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EBPC Trophy Pot Display!The EBPC Trophy Pot Display is now available to watch here, and on Youtube.
It is something a little different - so we hope you enjoyed it. |
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'The Trophy' 2020 Belgium
EBPC Pot Display
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The EBPC Pot Display at 'The Trophy' Bonsai Exhibition 2020 in Belgium!
A huge thank you to all involved in making this event such a great success. Hear from my good friend and fellow pot collector Guido Pozzoli about some of the pots in his collection here. |
Ogurayama glazed and painted pots
at Wirral bonsai society Show August 2019
A display of pots by Ogurayama, to appreciate some of the styles of glazed and painted pots by Karahashi Homiyabi, born 1920 in Kyoto, and son.
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Ogurayama pot display video
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