Incense Burner

The tiniest of containers, this ovoid tripod is an incense burner. It likely once had an openwork metal lid. It is remarkable for its coral red color and crackled glaze. In contrast to the exterior, the interior has been left white under a transparent glaze. The “coral red glaze” is one Yohei III developed in 1887 and called sangōyu. Sensational among colors known at that time, Yohei III won first prize for his work glazed with it at the annual exhibition of the Japan Art Association (Bijutsu Kyokai) in 1888.