Horyuji Temple Yumedono incense holder by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 6.8cm x 6.8cm Height: 6.8cm

Horyu-ji Yumedono incense holder (Made 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 from Nara, and is a replica of 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 the memory of Prince Shotoku.
The incense holder is palm-sized, measuring approximately six centimetres wide and five centimetres high, but it is precisely crafted with eight wall decorations, balustrades, and a base staircase. Its two-part structure, with the entire upper roof being the lid and the main body being the incense holder, makes it practical for storing incense.

2. Shape and design

3. Glaze tones and techniques

Light celadon glaze
The feldspar glaze is mixed with traces of iron and titanium and fired in a reducing furnace at 1240°C to create a gray-green color that gives the ware a calming look reminiscent of the color of Asuka roof tiles.

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

One-piece molding → lid cutting <br data-start="870" data-end="873">After sculpting the lump of clay, the lid 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 also famous as the hall where the "Kuse Kannon" is enshrined. It is the "Hall of Awakening" with the anecdote that Okakura Tenshin and Ernest Fenollosa opened 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 of the lunar calendar)

A celebratory event to pray for "eight-way enlightenment" associated with the Octagonal Hall

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

5. Combination examples

6. Mr. 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 this time, following on from his designs for the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple and the 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 an architectural sculpture and the delicateness that can be enjoyed in the palm of your 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 wall 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 breath of Tenpyo to the tea room. Please pick it up for any tea ceremony in any season and enjoy the "Yumedono in the palm of your hand" created by Onishi Rakusai.

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