Incense holder, gold-painted celadon peach design by Takahashi Dohachi

Width: 6.1cm Height: 4.5cm

This piece, wrapped in a pale, clear celadon glaze, depicts a plump peach, a tranquil expression of the freshness and vitality of life. The peach leaves are adorned with gold, and the golden light shimmers faintly against the soft blue. Below, we will introduce the charm and background of this piece in detail from five perspectives.

1. Beauty of form - plump and elegant curves

The rounded shape is reminiscent of a ripe peach. The plump top and stable bottom are perfectly balanced, and the shape that fits in the palm of your hand gives off a warm and familiar feeling. The seams where the top and bottom are joined together also blend softly, beautifully expressing the organic unity of natural fruit. Although it is a small incense holder, the shape itself is a complete beauty.

2. Glaze Tone - The serene texture of celadon and the flickering of light

Takahashi Michihachi's specialty is celadon glaze, which has a soft milky white veil over a transparent blue-green, creating subtle shadows depending on the angle from which it is viewed. In this piece, the glaze flows along the bulge of the peach, and the pale shades that appear in the glaze pools create a subtle shimmer in the natural light. The glaze has a tone that combines tranquility and warmth, as if it were capturing the spring mist.

3. Design - A symbol of good fortune that resides in gold leaf

The gold leaf design nestled next to the peach fruit is more than just decorative; it highlights the symbolism of the peach, which has been associated since ancient times with immortality and longevity and the fruit that wards off evil spirits. The gold lines are executed with delicate yet sure brushstrokes, giving each leaf vein a sense of life. The pale tones of the celadon porcelain and the luster of the gold resonate with each other, creating a composition that exquisitely blends stillness and movement, cold and warmth.

4. Technique - Harmony of celadon and gold leaf

This piece is made from a neat, wheel-formed base, which is then coated with a celadon glaze and reduced firing, before being painted with gold leaf patterns and fired again. Firing at a high temperature allows the glaze to blend smoothly, and the gold overpainting is fired at just the right temperature to maintain its shine and blend into the surface. Controlling the temperature difference during the second firing is an extremely delicate process, and the precise kiln control demonstrates the skill of the Dohachika.

5. Historical and Cultural Background - Peach and Auspicious Motifs

Peaches have been revered as fairy fruits in ancient China, and in Japan they have also been treasured as symbols of festivals and celebrations. They have long been a beloved subject in the world of tea ceremony, particularly in motifs such as the "Peach Festival" and "Peach Blossom Banquet," which represent prayers for the rebirth of life and peace. Takahashi Dohachi, the 9th generation, inherits the traditions of Kyoto ware while fusing the pure porcelain of celadon with a modern sense of form, reviving classical designs as new forms of beauty.

The 9th generation Takahashi Michihachi studied fashion design before moving on to pottery, studying under the 8th generation (his father) in 1996, and succeeding to the name of the 9th generation in 2012. While respecting traditional techniques, he has consistently maintained an attitude of seeking harmony between form and color, and this work is imbued with this spirit.

The symbolism of fertility and rebirth that lies within the peach quietly lingers in the quiet glow that resides in the palm of your hand.
The Gold-painted Celadon Peach incense holder is a true modern masterpiece, combining the refinement of Kyoto ware with the poetry of nature.