Ukago Onishi Rakusai

Width: 3.8cm x 5.0cm Height: 4.8cm

U-kogo (U-kogo) Made by Rakusai Onishi

--A white rabbit leaping upon the moon, a sign of good fortune in the palm of your hand--

1. Overview of the work

This is a rabbit-shaped incense container made by Yashiro Onishi Rakusai, a master craftsman of Akahada ware from Nara. Though it is a small piece, just over five centimeters in diameter, it is adorable with its plump body and round red eyes, and its two-part structure of the lid and body makes it practical for storing incense paste and pieces of aloeswood. The soft luster of the milky white glaze, combined with the faint pink color of the Akahada clay, makes this a graceful masterpiece reminiscent of a snow rabbit illuminated by moonlight.

2. Shape and design

3. Glaze tones and techniques

The Elegance of a Milky White Glaze <br data-start="638" data-end="641">A small amount of tin is added to a transparent glaze mainly made of feldspar, and it is made opaque by reduction firing at a slightly low temperature (1220-1230℃). The result is a silky matte finish that softens the light, with a texture reminiscent of rabbit fur.

Pale pink coloring <br data-start="750" data-end="753">The iron contained in the clay takes on a reddish hue due to the reducing flame, creating a soft cherry-pink "skin texture" on the bridge of the nose, cheeks, and behind the ears. This is a unique feature of Akahada ware, and adds a sense of life and warmth.

Sculptural Forming <br data-start="861" data-end="864">The outer shape is roughly carved by hand, and when it is half-dry, a bamboo spatula is used to carve out the ears, nose, mouth and toes, leaving soft undulations. After the lid body is cut, the mating surfaces are ground together to ensure an airtight finish while still allowing for easy opening and closing.

4. Cultural background of the rabbit motif

Since ancient times, rabbits have been likened to the figure of someone pounding rice cakes in the Moon Palace, and have been loved as symbols of "the moon and rebirth," "leaps forward," and "fertility ." In the Chinese zodiac, this is the Year of the Rabbit, and it is said to govern peace and tranquility. In the tea ceremony,

Moon Viewing Tea Ceremony (15th Night and 13th Night)

The first day of spring brings great luck

Yayoi seating before the Doll's Festival

Rabbit incense holders have been widely used to celebrate the coming of spring and the moon, and have been treasured as tools to show guests wishes for success and good fortune.

5. Examples of arrangements at tea ceremonies

6. Mr. Onishi Rakusai's ceramics philosophy

Onishi Rakusai believes in "bringing the history and good fortune of Nara to tea pottery in the palm of his hand," and actively uses auspicious animals of the seasons as his themes, in addition to deer, temple bells, and shibo. In this piece, he makes use of the warmth of the akahada clay, and skillfully expresses the fantasy of a rabbit floating in the moonlight through the contrast between the milky white glaze and the pale pink. He has managed to combine the delicacy of a sculpture to be enjoyed in the palm of one's hand with the robustness of a tool.

7. Summary

The "Ukogo" is a masterpiece that combines the milky white glaze with a faint pink hue and a lovely shape, evoking both the tranquility under the moonlight and the budding of spring. When you open the lid, the incense smoke drifts past the tip of the rabbit's nose, just as if a white rabbit running through the mountains and fields had left behind a rainbow-like current of air. Please use the rabbit in your hand to mark the turning points of the seasons and to celebrate auspicious occasions, and enjoy harmonious conversations with your guests.

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