Tenmoku incense burner by Okada Yu

Width: 11.2cm Height: 13.0cm

Tenmoku-yū incense burner by Okada Masaru - "Scattering stardust in the pitch-black air, the tripod lets the moonlight shine through - a small burner that gives off the scent of the breath of the night."

1. Overview of the work

The iron glaze, developed in a reducing flame, emits a faint silver-blue light from deep within the black lapis lazuli. The stepped cuts on the body and lid evoke the rhythm of night clouds over six mountain ridges, and the pale pink flames running along these ridges add warmth to the darkness. The lid knob rises like a slender tower, quietly suggesting the path along which incense smoke rises. The tips of the tripod legs cast shadows on the table, creating a floating sensation, as if incense clouds are rising from beneath the vessel.

2. Shape and Design

3. Scenery of Tenmoku glaze kiln changes

Silver-gray stardust : Tiny iron crystals twinkle in response to the light, reminiscent of the night sky.

Pale pink highlights : A slight reddish-purple bleeds along the ridges of the steps, bringing a warm pulse to the darkness.

Pear-skin texture : The texture that combines matte and gloss conveys a pleasant coolness to the hand.

4. A look at the production

Based on the concept of "transforming the landscape into a vessel," Okada Masaru has condensed the night sky and mountain shadows of the charcoal mine into this incense burner. The carved steps represent overlapping ridgelines, the silver sand represents twinkling starlight, and the pale pink fire represents the flames of the wood-fired kiln and the dawn light. When the incense is burned, the smoke turns into a nebula and creeps down the steps, and the shadow of the tripod reflects the phases of the moon - such a quiet story is born.

5. Conclusion

This Tenmoku-glazed incense burner evokes the depth of the night sky and the brilliance of stardust. Burning incense wood shines through the silver-gray glaze, and the flickering smoke brings a mysterious atmosphere to your seat. Please enjoy the overlapping of light and incense, which changes with each stick, for many years to come.