Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Clay Tile Lamp Lid Rest by Rakusai Bisai

Width: 6.0cm x 6.0cm Height: 5.8cm

Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda base clay tile lamp lid rest (Yakushiji-toto kidando gato-futaoki) Made by Onishi Rakusai

--Reflecting the breath of the earth over 1,300 years in the light of wabi--

1. Overview of the work

This piece is a tile lamp-shaped lid rest made by Onishi Rakusai of Yatsushiro, an Akahada ware potter in Nara, using the old clay that supported the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple, a national treasure. Although it is a small prop for resting a kettle lid, the open-ceiling window carved into the hemispherical body and the saucer opening at the top give it a mysterious silhouette reminiscent of the tile lamps of temples.

2. Shape and design

The firing gives the reddish-brown iron glaze a dull glow, and slight purple-brown kiln changes appear on the window edges and the top of the body. This is a natural glaze that appears when magnesia and quartz particles contained in the base soil melt, and can be said to be "earth crystals" that indicate the accumulation of time since the Hakuho period.

3. Techniques and the significance of "base soil"

What is base soil? <br data-start="654" data-end="657">The soil from the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple was temporarily removed during the major repairs of the Reiwa era (2009-2020). It is a legacy of the earth that was compacted by monks and craftsmen of the Hakuho period 1,300 years ago, and the part that was not returned after the repairs was used as pottery material from the perspective of protecting the cultural property.

Pottery-making process 1: Sift the base soil and mix it with clay from Mt. Akahada in a 3:7 ratio to ensure plasticity.
② After shaping it into a hemispherical shape on a potter's wheel, a fire window is cut out with a blade, and it is then dried.
③The piece is fired in a reduction fire at around 1240°C, and the iron from the base clay is sublimated into a reddish-purple iron glaze.

The exquisite texture <br data-start="942" data-end="945">The "gravel skin" with quartz grains unique to the foundation soil floating on the surface faithfully reproduces the fired texture of a tile lamp and adds depth to the reflection of the flame when it is reflected.

4. Historical background of the Kawara-to motif

Kawara lanterns are lighting fixtures for temples made from the same clay as roof tiles, and are said to have become popular during the Edo and Meiji periods. Covered with a bell-shaped fireplace to protect from the wind, these simple lights supported religious services throughout the night, and have long been popular as tea ceremony pottery that faithfully reflects the beauty of the tile surface. The East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple is a beautiful three-story pagoda praised as "frozen music," and in 2020 it underwent major repairs over a 12-year period. The foundation soil, which served as a "silent force" that supported the pagoda for 1,300 years, can be said to have been reborn as a "moving light" through the firing flames.

5. Arrangements at tea ceremonies

6. Onishi Rakusai's approach to pottery making

Onishi Rakusai's philosophy is "tableware that connects the memories of Nara to the next generation," and in addition to motifs unique to the region such as old roof tiles, deer, and temple bells, he has attempted to revive "history itself" as a material - the clay base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple. In this lid rest, he combines the warm elegance of Akahada ware with the roughness of the clay base in the simple form of a roof tile lamp, skillfully fusing the wabi aesthetic of tea ceremony utensils with the weight of history.

This piece is made using 100% clay from the Yakushiji Temple grounds, with all impurities thoroughly removed, and is characterized by its clear beauty. The clay has aged over time and is homogeneous, and when fired it acquires a clear luster, and when fired it takes on a gentle color reminiscent of old roofing tiles. Its smooth texture and resistance to warping are also appealing. The story of the clay, which embodies 1,300 years of history, brings a sense of peace every time you hold it in your hands. This is a special piece that combines material, beauty, and spirituality.

The "Yakushiji East Pagoda Base Clay Tile Lamp Lid Rest" is a masterpiece in which clay that has cherished for over a thousand years meets fire and becomes a "light" once again, brought back to life in the palm of your hand. When you place a ladle on it, the fire from the hearth peeks out from the tile lamp window, drawing the light of prayer that has always illuminated the East Pagoda into the tea room. Please enjoy this microcosm that reflects history, faith, and the rich flavor of Nara clay at a seasonal tea ceremony.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi