Meibutsusu, a Sen family specialty
Attachment
Inner box, paulownia (paulownia), white wood, calligraphy by Kanjian Munenobu
Outer box, black lacquered, with gold-painted calligraphy
Attributed to
Rokkaku, Kyoto
Dimensions
Height 5.1cm
Mouth diameter 4.9cm
Body diameter 6.3cm
Bottom diameter 4.2cm
Weight: 90g
This incense container is ranked in the eastern section of the “kanwakai” category of shaped incense containers. The shape is neat and the glaze color is beautiful, and the cow figure is well highlighted by the yellow glaze, a characteristic of kotsuji incense containers. The harmony of the surrounding purple glaze and the overall blue glaze is superb.
The character for “heaven” on the bottom tray is rarely seen, and is especially highly praised.
It was mentioned in the Chuko Meibutsu Roku (Note: Senke Meibutsu) a long time ago, and was handed down to the Mitsui family in Rokkaku, Kyoto. It was handed down to the Mitsui family in Rokkaku, Kyoto, and was also inscribed on the box by Sakamoto Shusai (Kanjian Munenobu).
In modern times, the same family member, Taizan Mitsui, treasured this item. The author had the opportunity to see this incense container in person and admired it.
Tea masters have long praised it as the best of all Ko-togirimono among the kojiki kougui (incense containers). There are only a few of the same type, and they are treasured by connoisseurs. It is called “daiyu.
