Horyuji Temple Yumedono incense holder by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 6.8cm x 6.8cm Height: 6.8cm

Incense holder from the Yumedono Hall of Horyuji Temple (by Onishi Rakusai)

--With the palm of his hand, he gently opens the door to the spiritual dream of Prince Shotoku residing in the octagonal hall--

1. Work summary

This incense holder was created by Onishi Rakusai , a master of Akahada ware in Nara, and depicts the Yumedono Hall, the main hall of the Toin Garan complex of Horyu-ji Temple, a national treasure. The Yumedono Hall is an octagonal hall built around 729 and is known as a mystical worship space dedicated to Prince Shotoku.
Although the incense holder is palm-sized, measuring approximately six centimeters wide and five centimeters high, it is meticulously crafted, including the eight wall decorations, balustrades, and base stairs.It has a two-part structure, with the entire upper roof being the lid and the main body being the body, making it practical for storing incense.

2. Shape and design

3. Glaze tones and techniques

Light celadon glaze
The gray-green color, achieved by adding trace amounts of iron and titanium to the feldspar glaze and firing it in a reduction furnace at 1240°C, gives the piece a calming color reminiscent of the color of Asuka roof tiles.

Prominent engraved lines <br data-end="805" data-start="802">A thin layer of glaze accumulates on the rafter lines and pillar grooves carved with a bamboo spatula before drying, creating a contrast of shadows that emphasizes the architectural rhythm.

One-piece molding → Lid cutting <br data-end="873" data-start="870">After sculpting the lump of clay, the lid position is cut horizontally on the base and the joint is polished to ensure smooth opening and closing.

4. Yumedono and the Tea Ceremony

The Yumedono Hall is the oldest surviving octagonal hall designated as a national treasure, and is famous as the hall where the "Kuse Kannon" statue is enshrined. It is also known as the "Hall of Awakening," with the anecdote that Okakura Tenshin and Ernest Fenollosa opened the doors to the secret Buddha statue in 1884.
In the tea ceremony,

Tea ceremonies during the Spring and Autumn Opening Period (April and November)

Memorial service for Prince Shotoku (February 22nd, lunar calendar)

A celebratory ceremony to pray for "eight-sided enlightenment" associated with the octagonal hall

Yumedono incense containers have been used in various places, and have been prized as tools symbolizing Buddhist virtue, harmony, and harmonious achievement .

5. Combination examples

6. Onishi Rakusai's ceramics philosophy

Following on from his motto of "Putting the history and prayers of Nara into tea ceremony pottery in the palm of his hand," Onishi Rakusai has chosen the Yumedono Hall, associated with Prince Shotoku , as his motif for this piece, following on from his work on the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple and Deer Incense Container. He has harmonised the simple warmth of the Akahada clay with the quiet luster of the pale celadon glaze, achieving both the rigour of architectural sculpture and a delicateness that can be enjoyed in the palm of one's hand .

7. Summary

The "Horyu-ji Yumedono Incense Container" is a masterpiece that condenses the harmonious beauty of the octagonal hall and the spiritual power of the faith in Prince Shotoku into a vessel just a few centimeters thick. When you open the lid, the incense smoke drifting through the corridors of the temple becomes a breeze, bringing the spirit of the Tenpyo period into the tea room. Please pick it up at any tea ceremony of the season and enjoy the "Yumeden Hall in the palm of your hand" created by Onishi Rakusai.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi