24066 Imperial Household Artist, Ceramic Master Hazan Itaya (Celadon Incense Burner)

Height 10.7cm Diameter 9.9cm

He graduated from the sculpture department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts (studied alongside Okakura Tenshin and Takamura Kokun), won third place for his "Porcelain Crystal Glazed Vase with Gold and Purple Design" at the Tokyo Industrial Exposition in 1907, and was subsequently appointed an Imperial Household Artist. He was the first potter to receive the Order of Culture, and declined an offer to be designated a Living National Treasure in 1955, because he considered pottery to be an art form. As a potter who studied the basics of art, he was a pioneer who established modern art pottery rather than traditional pottery, and is considered to be a great potter without equal in modern times. This was made by Japan's greatest potter, Itaya Hazan (1872-1963). His representative works include the "Ho-ko Colored Porcelain Vase with Rare Fruit Design" (Important Cultural Property in the Collection of the Izumiya Hakukokan Museum of Art), the "Colored Porcelain Vase with Enju Design" (Collected by Idemitsu Museum of Arts), and the "Colored Porcelain Vase with Poultry and Fruit Design" (Tsurui Museum of Art), making him a potter who had an immeasurable impact on the history of modern pottery. This "celadon incense burner" was created with respect for Chinese celadon, but with the artist's own aesthetic sense and creativity. The piece is crazy throughout, with gently gradated, skillfully laid lines, and the entire piece, except for the bottom edge, is generously glazed with beautiful celadon glaze, creating an outstanding sight. The deep olive-colored celadon glaze has a depth that is difficult to describe, and its shine is like a jewel. An extremely elegant aura emanates from the entire piece in a dignified tranquility, and its overwhelming presence captivates the viewer; it is simply a magnificent celadon work of the master potter, Itaya Hazan.