Bizen Chrysanthemum Incense Burner

This is a Bizen chrysanthemum incense burner by the world-renowned Intangible Cultural Property holder, the late Zenji Uragami, who was honored with numerous awards. The chic aesthetic of the Aobizen (blue Bizen) pairs perfectly with the orthodox style. The lid is designed to resemble a single chrysanthemum flower, and the generous, warm style characteristic of Uragami-sensei is heartening to behold. The Hidasuki (fire-cord) markings have transformed into shades of silver and gray, appearing as if lightning is striking across the blue base.
Signed wooden box (Shihozan)
Diameter 12.3cm × Diameter 12.3cm × Height 11.2cm Zenji Uragami (1914–2006) was born in Imbe and entered the world of ceramics under the tutelage of Shunko Nishimura. In 1935, he became a student of Seibo Kitamura, a member of the Japan Art Academy, where he studied sculpture. He also studied wood carving under Shin Naito, and drawing under Saburo Okada and Sakujiro Okubo. He excelled in creating lifelike animal figurines, bronze statues, and ceramic wall murals based on realism. His major works include the ceramic wall at Okayama Airport, the ceramic plaque of Grand Master Oyama at the Kurashiki City Art Museum, the bronze bust of Toyo Kaneshige at the Bizen Pottery Museum, and the ceramic statue of Kojima Takanori in Tsuyama City. In 1973, his ox figurine won a gold medal at the Le Salon 300th Anniversary Exhibition. In the same year, he was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefecture-designated Important Intangible Cultural Property. He passed away in March 2006.
Awards: Recipient of numerous honors, including the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, French Chagall Honorary Award, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class, and the Salon de Paris Grand Prix, among many others / Member of the Prefectural Exhibition judging committee