Celadon glazed ceramic lacquer incense burner by Toshinari Ichino

“Blue glaze ceramic lacquer incense burner Mr. Toshinari Ichino”

Height: 11.5 cm Width: 12.8 cm

I. Work Overview: A tranquil, aromatic vessel woven from celadon and lacquer

This ceramic-lacquered incense burner was created by the talented Ichino Toshinari of Tamba Tachikui. The soft, egg-shaped body is enveloped in a pale blue-green celadon glaze reminiscent of jade. The lid, which sits on top of it, is made of red clay and then lacquered and polished to a glossy amber color, with numerous openwork holes providing a stage for the incense smoke to escape. This is a truly tranquil and mysterious incense burner, in which the four elements of **earth, glaze, lacquer, and incense** resonate with each other.

II. Beautiful colors: The contrast between jade-colored celadon glaze and candy lacquer

Body : The celadon glaze contains slight crazing, which is characteristic of celadon, and when exposed to light, it changes color from milky white to pale blue. When the thickly applied glaze melts, it combines with the iron in the clay to create a pale gray-green color, a mysterious hue reminiscent of the ancient Etsushu and Longquan kilns.

Lid : The red clay base is coated with three coats of transparent lacquer, then repeatedly polished and rubbed to create a saturated, amber-colored luster. The openwork holes are a combination of teardrop, oval, and circular shapes, allowing the incense smoke to diffuse softly like rising drizzle. The cool tones of the celadon glaze and the warm tones of the amber lacquer complement each other, creating a harmony of varying heights both visually and tactilely.

III. Technique explanation: The intricate process of ceramic lacquerware

Molding and bisque firing

The body is turned using red clay from the local Tanba region, which is rich in iron, on a left-handed kick wheel, and a tripod cut into three sides is attached. It is bisque fired at around 800°C to improve the adhesion of the glaze.

Glazing and firing

A thick layer of celadon glaze, primarily made from wood ash, is applied and fired in a climbing kiln at 1,280°C. The reducing air current in the furnace reduces the iron, achieving the blue color characteristic of celadon.

Lacquer base and coating

The unglazed lid is coated with abrasive powder and raw lacquer, and then alternately coated with transparent lacquer and wood-based lacquer four times in total. Charcoal polishing is performed in between coats to ensure a smooth, mirror-like finish.

Openwork

When the wood is half-dry, holes are made using an awl and a knife, and the edges are smoothed with charcoal. The hole placement, which is the result of repeated refinement, optimizes the flow rate and diffusion angle of the incense.

IV. Shape and Design: Three-legged Lotus Seed Motifs Directing the Dance of Incense Smoke

The slightly taut body and modestly tapered rim symbolize the tranquility of celadon, like a drop of water. Meanwhile, the openwork holes in the lid feature a lotus seed design reminiscent of a lotus seed. The lotus emerging from the mud and giving off a fragrant fragrance is a symbol of purity and enlightenment, and the sight of incense smoke rising from the holes is like a visualization of paradise. The shadows cast by the three legs give the entire incense burner an even lighter and more stable feel.

VI. Use and Appreciation - Vessels that emit fragrance and light

- As an incense set : When agarwood or Kyara wood is burned, the soft smoke that wafts through the openwork holes permeates the pale luster of the celadon, creating a rich moment where the senses of sight and smell intersect.

As an interior decoration : Its minimalist appearance makes it a great addition to a Japanese-style alcove or even as a sideboard in a Western-style room. When illuminated from below with an LED light, the celadon glaze glows dimly through the gaps between the three legs, creating a mysterious and profound shadow effect.

- Changes over time : The lacquered surface becomes more transparent and lustrous over time, and the celadon glaze crazing will mature into a rich color tone as tiny particles of incense smoke soak into it.

Collectible value - a rare ceramic lacquerware incense burner

This trinity of celadon glaze, lacquerware, and tripod design is extremely rare on the market, making it one of Toshinari's early masterpieces. It will surely be highly valued in practical arts and crafts collections for both its academic and artistic value.

The "Celadon Glazed Lacquer Incense Burner for Ichino Toshinari" is a truly exquisite piece, capturing the tranquility of jade green, the warmth of amber lacquer, and the flickering scent of incense smoke all in one vessel. Each time you burn the incense or simply gaze upon it, new shades and fragrances emerge, transporting your everyday space to a mysterious world of fragrance. Please bring it into your home and, in the spirit of "beauty and longevity," slowly savor the texture that develops over time.