Bizen Handmade Dragon Incense Burner

This is a Bizen hand-crafted dragon incense burner by Teruhiko Omori, who studied under his father-in-law, the second generation Nindo Okai—a renowned master craftsman—and inherited a style that blends intricate detail with a sense of dynamism. The incense burner is a powerful piece, featuring a lid adorned with a crouching dragon looking down from the heavens, reminiscent of the work of the second Nindo. The dragon's sharp claws are rendered in high relief on the lid, brilliantly capturing the strength of a creature capable of rending all things asunder to grasp its sacred jewel. The main body is also hand-coiled, with rhythmic finger impressions radiating inward like the petals of a chrysanthemum. It is a substantial, thick-walled piece—a rarity for such decorative work—possessing a strong presence that makes it a masterpiece to be enjoyed even simply as a display item. Signed paulownia box (with two-way crossbar)
15.2cm diameter including handles x 10.2cm diameter x 12.7cm height including lid After graduating from Okayama Prefectural Takamatsu Agricultural High School and working for the Okayama City Office, Teruhiko Omori developed a love for Bizen ware. While visiting kilns and artists in his spare time, he made the decision to resign from the city office in 1970 and entered the world of pottery by studying under his father-in-law, the second generation Nindo Okai, a renowned master of Bizen ware. While honing his ceramic techniques by observing Nindo's process, he also frequently sought guidance from other senior artists during his free time. Following Nindo's passing in 1982, Omori took over the kiln, fired his first kiln load, and embarked on his career as an artist. He built a new climbing kiln in 1996 and renovated it in 2001. As the successor to the prestigious "Nindo Kiln," he continues to devote himself to creating works that bring out the natural essence of Bizen clay.