清水六兵衛 巢籠 鶴 香盒

Kiyomizu Rokubei - "Nesting Crane" Incense Container (Kōgō) for Tea Ceremony

Rikubey Kiln's "Nesting Incense Container"
This piece features an adorable design: a bird glazed in black and yellow peeks out from the white body of the incense container. The sight of the bird quietly nestled in its nest brings a sense of calm to the viewer.

An incense container is a small lidded vessel used in the tea ceremony to hold incense chips. The Rikubey Kiln has long been renowned for crafting tea utensils such as tea bowls and water jars, and their exceptional skill and unique sensibility are fully displayed in this petite incense container.

The Rikubey Kiln has carried on the legacy of the Kiyomizu Rokubey family, Kyoto-based ceramic artists. While upholding the traditions of Kyoto-style ceramics, the kiln has continually pursued new forms of artistic expression. It is particularly acclaimed for its wheel-thrown thin-body technique, as well as its expertise in colored enamels, underglaze blue, and the versatile application of various glazes.