Ogawa Bunsai (fifth generation)

Width: 10.0cm x 10.0cm Height: 15.0cm

A still and dynamic incense burner that encapsulates the universe of kiln changes

“Kiln Henkowari” by the fifth generation Bunsai Ogawa

This incense burner is more than just a piece of pottery. It is as if a cosmic form was born from the crystallization of chance and necessity in the dialogue between fire, earth, and time. The pottery-making techniques and aesthetic sense cultivated over many years by the fifth generation Ogawa Bunsai are visualized through the dramatic changes that occur in the kiln, known as "yōhen," and are sublimated into this masterpiece.

The surface of the vessel is intricately layered with glaze tones that change from brown to reddish copper to blue-purple to deep green, and the contrast of light and shadow that appears there deeply stirs the viewer's sensibilities. The flowing traces of the glaze, resembling lava flowing down the rock surface, seem to be imprinted on the vessel by the trajectory of a flame, as if the dynamism of nature were contained within a single bowl. This work, which changes its appearance depending on the angle from which it is viewed and the way the light hits it, evokes a sense of movement within stillness, chaos within order.

The almost amorphous shape and slightly distorted body suggest a collaboration with nature that goes beyond artifice. There is an exquisite sense of tension in the way the lid and body fit together, and the natural motifs carved into the piece add a quiet lyricism. The moment the incense rises, the entire vessel resonates with the space as if breathing, revealing its true essence of beauty in utility.

The spirituality embodied in this work transcends mere visual beauty and is elevated to the level of "prayer." The "prayer for peace" that Ogawa Bunsai V pursued throughout his life is based on the idea of ​​harmony between people, or "wa." This incense burner is a true embodiment of that idea in the form of a vessel, and can be said to be the crystallization of his soul.

Artist profile and Bunsai kiln lineage

Ogawa Bunsai V (real name: Ogawa Kinji) was born in Gojozaka, Kyoto in 1926 as the second son of a potter. Raised in a pottery-making environment from an early age, he trained under his father, Ogawa Bunsai IV, and was first selected for the Nitten exhibition in 1950. He went on to win first place at the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition (1959), the Nitten Special Selection and Hokuto Award (1962), and the Grand Prix at the Vallauris International Ceramics Exhibition in France in 1974, establishing himself as a highly acclaimed ceramic artist both at home and abroad.

In 1991, he officially assumed the name of Bunsai V, and served as president of Kyoto College of Art from that year until 1995. He also possessed great insight as an educator, and devoted himself to nurturing the next generation. His teaching philosophy was rooted in the profound belief that "tradition should not be a form to be passed down, but rather a spirit of constant questioning and renewal."

Godai's works often use powerful colors such as red, black, and brown, and are characterized by a profound expression that resonates with vitality and spirituality.

Inheritance and Evolution — The Genealogy of the Sixth Generation Ogawa Bunsai

The man who inherited that vision is Ogawa Bunsai (Ko) VI, who took on the name in 2014. After studying sculpture at graduate school, he thoroughly honed his ceramic techniques from the basics at a ceramics school and testing center. While carrying on the spirit of his father, Ogawa Godai, he pursued his own unique color expression known as "green glaze," and today he has come to be known by many as "the green man."

Rokudai's works, in addition to their aesthetic beauty based on prayers for peace and harmony, also combine modernity with a poetic sensibility, and are now highly acclaimed both at home and abroad.

In conclusion - A creative poem where fire and prayer intertwine

This incense burner embodies Ogawa Bunsai V's outlook on life and the world, as well as his spirit of prayer, which has been passed down through the ages.It is more than just a work of art; it is a "tranquil poem," a "shape of time," and a "living legacy" that continues to speak to those who see and use it.

We hope that through this "Kiln-Changed Incense Burner" you will be able to experience the depths of pottery, where fire, earth, and prayer intersect. The spirit of harmony, the desire for peace, and the beauty of human endeavors that are embodied within it will quietly but surely resonate with you.