Height: 9.0 cm (Young Man), 6.0 cm (Old Woman)
These are a pair of incense caddies molded in the shape of an elderly couple (Jo and Uba). I have heard that Dohachi also produced ornaments of the same design. These auspicious incense caddies, featuring an elderly man rendered in vibrant colors, are of excellent craftsmanship. Made from fine-grained white clay, they are coated with a white slip and covered with a transparent glaze, which makes the colors of the intricately painted costumes appear even more vivid. The bottom of the Young Man is stamped with the mark “Kawabashi Shiryū,” while the bottom of the Old Woman bears the mark “Eiraku.” On the lid of the box, Hozon has inscribed “Gokō Young Man and Old Woman Incense Box,” and on the bottom of the box, “Mark: Made by Zengorō.”
