Blue porcelain incense burner Masao Tagai

Width: 15.7cm x 15.7cm Height: 11.5cm

Celadon incense burner by Masao Tagai

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1. Overview of the work

This piece is a celadon incense burner with a clear blue glaze reminiscent of the sky after rain, and an impressive design of three wavy shoulders. Based on a gourd shape with a plump body, the steps at the neck create rhythmic shadows, visually accentuating the scene of incense smoke rising. Fine ice cracks and crazes lurk beneath the mirror-like surface of the glaze, and when exposed to light they become a pale mist, adding depth to the surface of the vessel. A thin layer of glaze is left uncovered on the rim, and the iron content gives it a silver-grey color, creating a neat accent that tightens the pale blue world.

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2. Shape and design

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3. Glaze and firing techniques

Blue color after rain
The amount of iron powder is reduced, and the piece is fired at a high temperature under reduced pressure, then the atmosphere is lightly switched to an oxidizing atmosphere at the end of the firing process. This results in a clear blue color with no reddish tinge, and the milky layer that forms inside gives the color a sense of depth.

Controlling Ice Cracks and Crazing <br data-start="798" data-end="801">By roughly matching the expansion coefficients of the clay and glaze layer and gently adjusting the cooling rate, fine cracks are created. With repeated use, incense oils and soot will seep in slightly, creating a hazy, cloud-like landscape.

Mirror Finish <br data-start="906" data-end="909">After firing, the pottery is reheated at a low temperature using reduction heating, which lightly re-melts the surface of the glaze, enhancing the luster and softly reflecting the surrounding light and hanging items.

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4. Design intent as an incense burner

Incense burners are used not only in the tea ceremony but also at Zen temple ceremonies and incense-listening sessions, as tools that bring "purification and tranquility" to a space. In this piece, the volume of the body gently circulates heat, steadily diffusing the scent of the fragrant wood. The stepped neck visualizes the rising smoke and emphasizes the flickering of the incense clouds. The iron rim and exposed base reduce the temperature difference caused by the heat of the charcoal fire, preventing cracks and distortion. Furthermore, the gourd shape has long been considered an auspicious design that brings good health and good fortune, bringing tranquility and good fortune to the place where incense is burned.

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5. Historical and cultural background

The roots of the celadon incense burner can be traced back to the Longquan and Ru kilns of the Northern Song Dynasty in China, and it was introduced to Japan via Zen monks in the Kamakura period. During the Muromachi period, it was highly valued as a Chinese incense burner, and tea masters in the Momoyama period regarded the crazing and iron rim as a part of the wabi scenery, and cherished the incense burner as a "vessel that cultivates the scenery." While keeping this historical background in mind, Tagai Masao has reinterpreted it with a light, stepped design that is modern and sublimated into a form that will look great not only in a tea room but also in a modern living room.

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6. Tips for Appreciation and Use

Rings of light reflected on the steps <br data-start="1494" data-end="1497">When lanterns or spotlights are shone on the steps, bands of light are created on each step, which, combined with the flickering incense smoke, creates a fantastical rhythm.

Microscopic crazes in the hazy landscape <br data-start="1572" data-end="1575">When you focus closer, you can see mica-like cracks peeking out from under the glaze, and the more you use it, the more it takes on a pale yellow hue, deepening the expression.

Iron rim and foot base <br data-start="1648" data-end="1651">The black rim and base contrast with the pale blue, creating a sophisticated look that is reminiscent of the iron mouth and iron feet of classical official kilns.

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7. Conclusion

Masao Tagai's "Celadon Incense Burner" is a "vessel for clarity of mind" that combines a gourd design that harbors good fortune with the tranquility of the rain-filled sky. By simply burning a single piece of incense wood, a fresh fragrance and a sense of peace will fill the space, and as the ice cracks grow over time, the vessel itself will become a partner that keeps time. We hope that you will use it for many years to come, and entrust this celadon incense burner to you as you spend quiet time with the scent.