Todaiji Temple temple bell incense holder by Bisai Rakusai

Width: 5.0cm x 5.0cm Height: 8.0cm

Todaiji Temple temple bell incense container (Todaiji temple bell incense container) Made by Onishi Rakusai

--Bring the echoes of Nara's Great Bell into the universe in the palm of your hand--

1. Work summary

This incense holder was sculpted by the master of Akahada ware in Nara, Onishi Rakusai, in the eighth generation, and is a small piece that replicates the Todaiji Temple bell, a national treasure, in the palm of your hand. The lidded container has a hollow body that can be used to store incense paste or fragrant wood, making it ideal for *nagori (a farewell gift)/year-end gift* at a tea ceremony or for New Year's Eve.

2. Highlights of the sculpture

The entire piece is covered with layers of black amber glaze and copper-green glaze , which simultaneously express the patina of bronze and the browning that occurs over time, and the slight kiln changes create a luster and depth reminiscent of iron skin.

3. Techniques and the wonders of Akahada ware

Akahada ware originated in the early Edo period and developed by incorporating the elegance of Nara-e and Yamato-e paintings into tea ceremony ware. At the Bisai kiln, Akahada clay, which is rich in iron, is reduced and fired, resulting in the brilliance of the iron glaze and the vibrant color of the pale green glaze. This piece is shaped into a bell shape by hand, without using a mold, and by hammering the surface.

After drying, the breasts and kesakake are carved out with stamps and line engraving , then fired in a reducing flame to create a shaded relief, the iron in the black candy glaze gives it a metallic luster, and then the copper-green glaze accumulates in places, giving it a verdigris-blue color - a three-stage process that can be seen. Both the clay and the glaze are skillfully blended and fired to achieve the texture of "terra metallica" reminiscent of metalwork.

4. The historical significance of the Todaiji Temple bell

Casting year : Said to be 752 (Tenpyo Shoho 4), the same year as the Great Buddha's eye-opening.

Dimensions : It is a gigantic bell with a total height of 3.86 m, a diameter of 2.71 m, and a weight of 26.3 t, and is counted as one of the three most famous bells in Japan.

Nicknamed "Narataro," the temple is known for the deep, lingering sound of its bell, which is rung every evening at 8 p.m., earning it the nickname "the energetic Todaiji Temple."

This history has been passed down to the present day in Nara's spiritual culture - namely, the teachings of the Kegon Sutra and prayers for the protection of the nation - and by depicting them on incense containers, they bring a sense of solemnity and tranquility to the tea room.

5. Seasonal feel and combination

6. Onishi Rakusai's ceramics philosophy

Driven by his belief of "bringing the memories of Nara into the living room," Onishi Rakusai has transformed motifs (deer, lanterns, temple bells, etc.) that symbolize the historical sites, myths, and legends of the region into tea ware. His incense holders, which combine the warmth of hand-crafted incense with a sculptural form, evoke in the viewer the "ancient capital in the palm of their hand," making them rare objects that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

This Todaiji Temple Bell Incense Container is a masterpiece that captures the lingering sound of the bell that has continued for over a thousand years and the tranquil solemnity of Nara Buddhism in its tiny walls. The shadows created by the dark brown and verdigris-colored glazes deepen even further in the soft light of the tea room. When the lid is opened, the incense smoke wafting through the air evokes the distant sound of the bells from the Great Buddha Hall. This small yet majestic masterpiece unites the poetry of the seasonal calendar and the tea ceremony.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi