Japan - Bizen Stoneware Incense Burner (kōro) – Fukurokuju Deity - Late 19th Century

SA sandstone sculpture depicting Fukurokuju, one of the Seven Deities of Good Fortune (Shichifukujin) in Japanese folklore. God of wisdom, longevity, and virility, he is immediately recognizable by his disproportionately high forehead, a symbol of immense erudition, and by his expression of serene, almost mischievous joy.

His face is deeply lined by the centuries and laughter; his beard is sculpted into long, sinuous strands that cascade down onto his chest; his hands, clasped together, are concealed beneath the heavy folds of his monastic robe. The drapery, with its beautiful fluidity, envelops the seated figure in a stable and dignified meditative posture.

At the back of the piece, three delicate perforations—two of which are shaped like multi-lobed motifs evoking hearts or mallow leaves (aoi)—reveal the subtle function of this object: it is an incense burner (kōro). When an incense cone is lit inside the cavity, the smoke rises and escapes discreetly through these openings, enveloping Fukurokuju’s immense skull in a mystical, fragrant veil.

The power of this piece lies entirely in its material and its traceability. Crafted from the famous Bizen stoneware (Okayama Prefecture), the object has received no artificial glaze.

Its dense, satiny brown surface is the exclusive result of a long and intense firing in a wood-fired kiln (anagama). The subtle nuances of its color, ranging from a deep chocolate brown to faint amber highlights, stem from deposits of molten wood ash and variations in the atmosphere inside the kiln. Evidence of meticulous craftsmanship and a registered workshop, the inner rim of the base bears a geometric mark incised into the fresh clay before firing. This crossed diamond monogram attests to the pride of its creator’s craftsmanship. Technical Specifications

Origin: Japan

Period: Late Edo period or early Meiji era (circa 1860–1890)

Dimensions: Height: 32 cm; Length: 40 cm.

Condition: Excellent overall condition, superb patina from use, minimal firing variations inherent to the raw nature of Bizen stoneware.

Provenance: Belgian private collection.