23909 Living National Treasure Shimizu Uichi (Horai Hanging Branch Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter Incense Burner (Made by Hagi Kazushi, Pure Silver Burner) SHIMIZU Uichi

Height 12.8cm Diameter 10.4cm

He studied Chinese ceramics under Ishiguro Munemaro, a Living National Treasure for "iron-glazed pottery." After serving as an apprentice at the National Kyoto Ceramic Testing Center, he served as an assistant in the ceramics department at the Kyoto Municipal Technical Research Institute. He then devoted himself to ceramics, mainly in his home pottery studio, and was recognized as a Living National Treasure for "iron-glazed pottery" at the young age of 59, the youngest person on record at the time.

This is a work by Shimizu Uichi, a world-renowned ceramic artist who in his later years moved his pottery studio to the foot of Mount Horai in Kosai, Shiga Prefecture, where he continued to be active.

The fire house has the character for "flower" written on it, and the body has the characters for "Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter," creating a characteristically fantastical scene.

The pure silver fireplace is made by metalworker Kazushi Hagii. It is a masterpiece with floral carvings.