Parent and Child Turtle Incense Holder by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 8.1cm x 6.0cm Height: 4.0cm

Parent and Child Turtle Incense Container (Oyakogame Kougou) by Onishi Rakusai

"The crane lives for a thousand years, the turtle lives for ten thousand years" - the two shells enveloping eternal good fortune -

Work summary

This incense holder, modeled after a mother and child turtle, was created by Yatsushiro Onishi Rakusai , an Akahada ware potter in Nara. The lid is made from the majestic shell of the mother turtle, with the adorable baby turtle perched atop it, simultaneously embodying three auspicious symbols: longevity, prosperity of descendants, and the security of the family business . The hollow interior is a practical design for storing kneaded incense and pieces of aloeswood, and is used at tea ceremonies.

Highlights of the design and coloring

The glaze is based on a pale yellow-gray glaze , with reddish-brown accents created by brushing iron-rich vermilion on the ridges of the shell and the tips of the feet. The glaze flows slightly during firing, causing the red to bleed, reminiscent of the rings of the Minogame, a turtle that has been covered in seaweed for many years.

Techniques and characteristics of Akahada ware

Akahada ware is characterized by its "hadaai" texture, a soft beige base with a hint of cherry blossom color, achieved by reducing-firing the iron-rich Akahada clay . This piece is hand-formed, then the mother and baby turtles are combined when half-dried, the shell pattern is carved out with a bamboo spatula, and lines are drawn with red iron. The piece is then reduced-fired to fuse a pale yellow-gray glaze, transforming the iron into a reddish color. By going through these three steps, the warm and elegant earthiness unique to Akahada ware is combined at a high level with approachable realism.

Cultural background of the turtle motif

Turtles have been considered sacred animals of longevity since ancient times, due to the legend that cranes live for a thousand years and turtles live for ten thousand years.Turtles are also highly valued at celebratory occasions, including the "Rikyu-shaped turtle incense container" owned by Rikyu, a tea ceremony utensil.

Prosperity of descendants <br data-start="1091" data-end="1094">The design of a baby turtle clinging to a mother turtle is derived from the "stone monument on a turtle base" seen in Chinese auspicious paintings, and has been passed down as an iconography praying for the prosperity of the family line.

Security of the family business <br data-start="1173" data-end="1176">The shell is considered a symbol of "solidity," and there are many examples of merchants and samurai families using turtle motifs to protect their storehouses.

Arrangement at the tea ceremony

Onishi Rakusai's pottery-making philosophy

Onishi Rakusai's motto is "Incorporating the history and auspicious signs of Nara into modern tea ceremony pottery," and he continues to actively create works featuring seasonal auspicious animals and fruits, in addition to deer, temple bells, and shiobi. This piece incorporates the warm emotion of parent and child, and by harmonizing the soft colors of Akahada ware with the meaning of auspicious patterns , it has been created into an incense holder that can be used for a wide range of occasions, from celebratory occasions to everyday practice.

The "Parent and Child Turtle Incense Container" is a masterpiece that combines the turtle, a symbol of eternal time, with a story of family love and generational succession. When you open the lid, the incense smoke rises and spreads quietly between the two shells, spreading a gentle aura of good fortune throughout the tea room. Please take your time to savor the warm design and auspicious prayers unique to Onishi Rakusai in the palm of your hand.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi