Todaiji Temple temple bell incense holder by Bisai Rakusai

Width: 5.0cm x 5.0cm Height: 8.0cm

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

--Bring the echoes of the Great Bell of Nara into the universe of your palms--

1. Work summary

This incense container was created by the master of Akahada ware from Nara, Onishi Rakusai, and is a small piece that replicates the Todaiji Temple bell, a national treasure, in the palm of your hand. It has a lid and is designed to hold incense paste or fragrant wood in the hollow part of the body, making it perfect for *nagori (a last vestige of a past life)/saibo (a year-end gift)* at a tea ceremony, or for New Year's Eve.

2. Highlights of the sculpture

The entire piece is layered with black candy glaze and copper-green glaze , which simultaneously expresses the verdigris of bronze and the browning that occurs with age, and the slight kiln changes give it 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 ware. At Bisai Kiln, Akahada clay, which contains a lot of iron, is reduced and fired, which is characterized by achieving both the brightness of the iron glaze and the color of the pale green glaze. This work does not use a mold, but is shaped into a bell shape by hand twisting and beating the surface.

After drying, the nipples and kesakake are engraved with stamps and lines , then it is fired in a reducing flame to create a shaded relief, the iron in the black candy glaze takes on a metallic luster, and the copper-green glaze accumulates in places to give it a green-blue color.The skilled blending and firing of both the clay and glaze to achieve the texture of "terra metallica" reminiscent of metalwork is evident.

4. The historical significance of the Todaiji Temple bell

Casting year : Said to be 752 (4th year of Tenpyo Shoho), the same year as the Great Buddha's consecration.

Dimensions : It is huge, 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.

It is affectionately known as "Narataro," and the sound of the bell rung every evening at 8 o'clock resonates deeply, earning it the nickname "the energetic Todaiji Temple."

This history has passed down the spiritual culture of Nara to the present day - namely, the teachings of the Kegon Buddhist teachings 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 combinations

6. Mr. Onishi Rakusai's ceramics philosophy

Based on his belief of "bringing the memories of Nara into the living room," Onishi Rakusai sublimated motifs (deer, lanterns, temple bells, etc.) that symbolize the historical sites, myths, and legends of the area into tea ware. His incense containers, which combine the warmth of hand-made products with sculptural forms, evoke the viewer's image of the "ancient capital in the palm of their hand," making them rare objects that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical.

7. Summary

This Todaiji Temple Temple Bell Incense Container is a masterpiece that captures the lingering sound of a 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 become even deeper in the soft light of the tea room, and when you open the lid, you will be reminded of the distant sound of the bell from the Great Buddha Hall along with the incense smoke that wafts through the air. This is a small but powerful masterpiece that combines the seasonal almanac with the poetry of the tea ceremony.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi – High-end pottery specialty store [Amagi-do]