Hotei incense holder by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 6.3cm x 6.3cm Height: 4.6cm

Hotei incense holder (Hotei-kogo) by Onishi Rakusai

--The Seven Gods of Fortune in the palm of your hand, bringing good fortune with a smile--

1. Work summary

This incense holder in the shape of Hotei was created by Onishi Rakusai, the eighth generation of Akahada ware makers in Nara. Its rounded belly and cheerful smile are endearing, and the lid is divided into two sections, top and bottom, with the inside of the body holding incense paste and aloeswood. Its diameter is approximately six centimeters, and when held in the palm of your hand, it conveys the warmth of Hotei.

2. The appeal of the shape and glaze

Gentle form <br data-end="259" data-start="256">While emphasizing the round belly and shoulders, the smooth curve from under the chin to the hem creates a softness that seems to ripple outward like a smile. The edge of the lid is designed to overlap with the pleats of the white coat, ensuring a sense of unity that makes the dividing line indistinguishable.

A warm and elegant red glaze <br data-end="397" data-start="394">The iron and ash in the clay blend together to create pale cherry blossom-colored spots on the cheeks and abdomen, evoking a healthy, healthy complexion. A milky white glaze made primarily of feldspar is applied to the white robe, suggesting Hotei's distinctive Hotei (bag). The contrasting glaze tones emphasize the three-dimensional effect and shadows.

Detailed carving <br data-end="526" data-start="523">The eyes, nose, and mouth are painstakingly carved with needle engraving and beveling, and a thin layer of transparent glaze is applied on top to give the statue a facial expression. The size of the earlobes and the carving of the smile lines give the statue a realism that is reminiscent of stone Buddha statues from the Tang Dynasty.

3. Techniques and characteristics of Akahada ware

In Akahada ware, Akahada clay , which contains iron, is fired over a slightly lower reducing flame, which gives the iron in the clay a pale reddish appearance known as "hadaai." This piece also goes through the following steps: 1 ) hand-molding, then cutting it into lidded containers after drying, 2 ) carving the surface to create a unique shape, then applying a decorative coating to the white part, and 3) reducing firing at around 1240°C to bring out the warm color characteristic of Akahada , resulting in a piece that combines simplicity with warmth.

4. Hotei and the Tea Ceremony

Hotei was modeled after the Chinese Five Dynasties Zen monk "Kaishi" and was worshipped as an incarnation of Maitreya Bodhisattva. In Japan, he has been incorporated into the Seven Lucky Gods faith and is widely cherished as a god of good fortune who bestows wealth, prosperity, and longevity upon descendants . In the tea ceremony, the "Tachi Hotei incense container" was mentioned in the "Kindai Kanso Choki" (Kimidaikansōchōki) from the late Muromachi period, and he has been the subject of incense containers since early times, and has been used at celebratory occasions such as New Year's, the first tea ceremony of the year, and the "Hanayose-tana" ceremony of the seven ceremonies.

5. Examples of arrangements at tea ceremonies

Hotei's smile has the effect of easing tension for both host and guests and creating a relaxed atmosphere, making him suitable for formal tea ceremonies where people first meet or for the first practice session of a company .

6. Onishi Rakusai's ceramics philosophy

Based on his belief that "the history and prayers of Nara can be incorporated into everyday tea pottery," Onishi Rakusai actively uses symbols of Yamato, such as deer, temple bells, and crested spires, as well as the auspicious omens of the Seven Gods of Fortune. In his Hotei incense containers, he takes advantage of the soft breathing properties of the Akahada clay , adding a rhythm of light and dark with the glaze, striving for perfection as a sculpture that can be held in the palm of one's hand .

This "Hotei Incense Container" is a masterpiece that embodies the ancient wisdom that good fortune comes to those who smile, along with the warm and elegant glaze that is unique to Akahada ware. When you open the lid, the wafting incense smoke wraps around Hotei's white robe, and the subtle crimson of his skin shines like the glow of the setting sun. It will be a reliable and excellent supporting actor, not only at celebratory occasions, but also when welcoming guests during daily practice, as it will lighten the mood with its gentle smile.

Please enjoy the warm smile of Hotei and the lingering fragrance of his fragrance in the palm of your hand.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi