– A signed Hagi-yaki incense burner (kōro) by Matsuno Ryūji (松野龍司) – a Japanese ceramicist working in the Hagi tradition of Yamaguchi Prefecture – Classical biwa-iro (loquat-colour) Hagi glaze with the warm tonal range and characteristic kannyū crackle for which the Hagi tradition is universally admired – Compact tabletop proportions suited to tokonoma display, study desk, or working incense use Summary: A signed Hagi-yaki incense burner (kōro) by Matsuno Ryūji, in the classical biwa-iro (loquat-colour) Hagi glaze tradition. Hagi-yaki is among the most prized of all Japanese ceramic traditions – a famous proverb captures the hierarchy: "Ichi Raku, ni Hagi, san Karatsu" – "first Raku, second Hagi, third Karatsu" – ranking Hagi second only to Raku within the tea-ceremony ceramic register. A characterful piece of Japanese ceramic incense culture for European collectors of Hagi-yaki, kōdō (the way of incense), and refined small objects. Hagi-yaki was established in the early seventeenth century in the castle town of Hagi on the Sea of Japan coast (present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture) by Korean potters brought to Japan during the late-sixteenth-century campaigns. The kilns at Hagi quickly became one of the most highly regarded sources of chawan for the tea ceremony, and the broader Hagi vocabulary – the warm biwa-iro palette, the soft kannyū crackle, the gentle hand-formed silhouettes – has been admired for four centuries. The kōro form belongs to one of the great Japanese ritual-object traditions: kōdō (the way of incense), one of the three classical Japanese arts alongside tea ceremony and flower arrangement. Compact kōro of this scale were used for private enjoyment of fine aromatic woods such as kyara and jinkō, or for the domestic burning of high-quality stick incense. A Hagi-yaki kōro brings the warm, contemplative aesthetic of Hagi into the daily practice of incense burning. The piece carries the typical warm biwa-iro Hagi glaze – pale peach-pink to soft beige – with the fine kannyū crackle network that will deepen and shift with use. This is the famous "Hagi no nanabake" – Hagi's seven changes – in which a Hagi piece develops increasingly rich character through years of careful use as the kannyū draws in liquid over time. In a European interior, the kōro works on a tokonoma shelf, a study desk, a fireplace mantel, or among a wider collection of Japanese ceramics. It pairs naturally with dark wood, with stone, and with other Japanese works of art. Condition: described as relatively good condition with possible age-related surface marks. Careful review of the photographs is encouraged. A quiet, characterful Hagi-yaki piece for everyday incense culture. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese ceramics and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1663