Kagayō Shino Incense Holder by Suzuki Tomio

Description

Shino pottery was first fired during the Momoyama era (1568-1603) at kilns in Minō - central Japan.  Glazed with a simple mixture of mostly feldspar and water, shino is renowned for its textured, citrus skin-like surface.

Hailing from Kyoto's Yawata District, Suzuki Tomio has reinvigorated the world of shino with his sculpted clay creations - like this incense holder done in the artist's signature kagayō shino glaze.

Incense holders, or kōgō, are displayed in the alcove of tea ceremony rooms and hold small balls of powdered incense.  At the beginning of the ceremony, the incense is placed inside the ashes surrounding the charcoal used for boiling water.  Although intended for use as such, this piece is equally suited as a box for keeping rings or other small personal treasures.

Suzuki Tomio's shino pottery is held in private collections around the world and, in 2011, was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art for display in their East Asian Art collection.

A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by the artist.  Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.

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