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Water jar with rabbit design of Seven Lucky Gods by Okada Yu

Water jar with rabbit design of Seven Lucky Gods by Okada Yu

$2,280.00
$2,280.00
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Width: 17.0cm Height: 17.3cm

"Seven Lucky Gods and Rabbits Water Jar" by Okada Masaru - A microcosm of the tea ceremony where play and good fortune blend together

Okada Masaru's Water Jar with Rabbits of the Seven Lucky Gods is a piece that combines the auspicious qualities of the Seven Lucky Gods with adorable rabbits reminiscent of the Choju Jinbutsu Giga paintings . Atop the tranquil scenery created by the soft ash glaze, the rabbits painted in gold and colored paint leap lightly, bringing both "blessing" and "playfulness" to the tea ceremony. Below, we will introduce the piece in detail from the perspectives of its history, technique, design, and use at tea ceremonies .

1. Historical Background - "Auspicious Images" and Water Jar

The Seven Lucky Gods spread as a folk belief from the Muromachi period through to the Showa period, and were incorporated into annual events and craft designs as symbols of good fortune and prosperity.

The humorous animals depicted in the Choju Jinbutsu Giga (owned by Kosan-ji Temple in Kyoto) embody the Japanese concept of "playful beauty" and have been frequently referenced in overglaze Kyoto ware since the Meiji period.

By transferring these historical motifs onto a tea utensil called a "mizusashi," which represents purity, Okada Masaru has managed to bring the two virtues of good fortune and purity to coexist in a single vessel.

2. Techniques and materials: A collaboration between ash glaze and gold-colored painting

This piece is the result of meticulous design, from the selection of materials to the finishing touches. First, the clay is made of semi-porcelain with as little iron as possible, and is shaped on a potter's wheel into a neat round jar shape. This optimizes the weight balance around the base, making it both light and stable when held in the palm of your hand.

A natural ash glaze made mainly from straw ash was chosen for the glaze, and the color was brought out slowly by reduction firing. Where the ash accumulates on the glaze surface, jade-colored spots appear, creating a scene that seems to softly envelop the floating "golden clouds" embracing the rabbit.

After firing, the porcelain was painted over with low-temperature red and green paints, as well as pure gold paint, to depict the cloud pattern and the rabbit's costume in detail. By strictly controlling the temperature range so that the paint does not sink too much into the glaze, the contrast between the luster of the gold paint and the white fur of the rabbit is vividly highlighted.

The finishing touch is to create a leaping rabbit on the lid, emphasizing the three-dimensional design. The glaze is applied sparingly and the piece is fired to a matte finish, allowing you to feel the smoothness and warmth of the ceramic surface every time you touch it with your palm.

The four steps of clay application, glazing, overpainting, and picking come together to create a masterpiece that combines visual splendor with tactile comfort.

3. Deciphering the Design - Rabbits Playing the Seven Lucky Gods

Hotei : He holds a biwa and lightens up the mood with music.

Bishamon Rabbit : A guardian deity that hoists flags and wards off evil spirits.

Daikoku Rabbit : Holds a mallet modeled after the magic mallet.

Ebisu Rabbit : Carries a fishing rod and prays for a good catch = bountiful harvest.

Benzai Rabbit : Holding a scroll, he achieves academic success.

Jurojin rabbit : Symbolizes longevity with a fan.

Fukurokuju Rabbit : Wears a tall hat and rules over Fukuroku and longevity.

In this way, the rabbits suggest "jumping = leaping," and each one carries the attributes of one of the Seven Lucky Gods. The composition of the rabbits frolicking in the sky, with golden clouds scattered in the background, will bring a wind of good fortune to your tea ceremony.

4. Spirituality - a duet of play and prayer

Okada Masaru's creations are based on the idea that "true prayer resides in play." The rabbit's innocent movements bring the "merit of laughter" that relaxes the hearts of the owner and tea guests, while the power of the Seven Lucky Gods resides within it, making it a talisman that protects the entire tea room.

— Playfulness is the flip side of serious prayer.
Every time I pick it up, Okada's message quietly resonates within me.

summary

The Seven Lucky Gods and Rabbit Water Jar is a masterpiece of modern tea ceremony utensils that combines auspiciousness, humor, and wabi . It can be used as a decoration for annual events, and can also be displayed as an art piece in a modern space, illuminating the space with a warm and welcoming atmosphere as an "object that brings good fortune."

If you would like additional information such as dimensions, box name, price, etc., please feel free to contact us.

Biography
Born in Kiyomizu-Gojo, Kyoto
After working as a trainee at the Kyoto Prefectural Pottery Training School Molding Department and the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute
Learned pottery techniques for three years under Mr. Kozo Kawashima, a member of the Sodeisha Society.
In 1987, he became independent and established a kiln in Sumiyama, Uji City.
Since 2018, he has been a judge for the Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition.
2022 Japan Traditional Crafts Ceramics Division Exhibition, Judge

<Main winning entries>
Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition
Kikuchi Biennale,
Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition
Chozo Award Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Art Exhibition,
Mashiko Pottery Exhibition,
Itami International Craft Exhibition
Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition,
Kobe Biennale
Contemporary Ceramic Art Competition, etc.

<Major Awards>
1998: The Northern Confectionery Utensils Exhibition (Excellent Award)
2002, Kyoto Ware, Kiyomizu Ware Exhibition (KBS Kyoto Broadcasting Award)
2003, Bonsai Pottery Exhibition (Encouragement Award)
2008, Japan Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition (Nikkei Newspaper Award)
2009, Otaki Hokkai Live Pottery Exhibition (NHK Broadcasting Award)
2010, Otaki Hokkai Live Pottery Exhibition (Hokkaido Shimbun Award)
2012, Kyoto Art and Craft Biennale (Grand Prize)
2013, Japan Traditional Crafts Ceramic Art Exhibition (Japan Crafts Association Award)
Kobe Biennale Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition (Second Prize)
2014: Invited to exhibit at the Gwangju Biennale
2016, Osaka Crafts Exhibition (Arts and Crafts Grand Prize)
2019, Osaka Crafts Exhibition (Second Prize)
2022, Arita International Ceramic Exhibition (Grand Prize, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award), etc.

Currently, he is a regular member of the Japan Crafts Association and a member of the Ceramic Art Association.
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