Ichikawa Kazuhiro / Wako Toyo (b. 1945) – Nabeshima Celadon Peony Incense Container (Seiji Botan-mon - Ceramic - Ichikawa Kazuhiro / Wako Toyo (b. 1945) - Japan - Shōwa period (1926-1989)
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Nabeshima celadon porcelain circular lidded incense container by Ichikawa Kazuhiro (Wako Toyo, b. 1945), from the Shōwa period, 6.5 cm in diameter and 3.3 cm high, ceramic, made in Japan, in excellent condition and original/official with an underglaze cobalt signature 'Wako' inside the foot ring.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
– Created at Wako Toyo (founded 1983) in Okawachiyama, Imari, Saga by Ichikawa Kazuhiro (Ichikawa Wako, b. 1945), third son and disciple of 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan (1907–1982), certified Preserver of Traditional Iro-Nabeshima Technique.
– Circular Nabeshima celadon porcelain lidded container (Ø 6.5 cm, H 3.3 cm,) with a relief peony in full bloom (yokoku botan-mon) under a turquoise-green seiji glaze and a cinnabar-red (shu) band along the meeting rim.
– Signed in underglaze cobalt blue "Wako" (和光) inside the foot ring, with paulownia wood box (kiribako) bearing a red seal, woven sanada-himo cord, and printed Wako Toyo leaflet (shiori).
Summary:
A Nabeshima celadon lidded incense container (kogo / futamono) from Wako Toyo, the kiln of Ichikawa Kazuhiro (Ichikawa Wako, b. 1945) in Okawachiyama, Imari. Shaped as a circular box measuring 6.5 cm across, its domed lid carries a relief-carved peony blossom whose layered petals and serrated leaves catch the translucent Nabeshima celadon glaze in pools of jade-turquoise and porcelain white. Along the joint where lid meets bowl, a fine cinnabar-red accent line frames the celadon in warm contrast, exemplifying the heritage of the former Nabeshima domain kiln.
Form, Relief Peony Carving, and Celadon Glaze
Compact at 6.5 cm across and 3.3 cm high (127.7 g), the vessel sits in the palm with the poised balance of a tea-ceremony incense box:
- In the open and profile views, the domed lid fits neatly over a rounded bowl tapering to a circular foot ring, encircled along the meeting rim by a fine cinnabar-red (shu / kuchibeni) band.
- Seen from above, the domed lid is filled by a blooming tree peony (botan) in crisp low relief (yokoku), with raised stamen beads at the centre, ruffled petals scored with fine veins, and three serrated leaves along the border.
- Across the relief carving, the translucent Nabeshima seiji glaze pools deeply in the valleys between petals and leaf veins in rich aqua-turquoise tones, while thinning over the ridges to reveal a soft porcelain-white highlight.
- Opened side by side, both interiors are coated in the same mirror-smooth turquoise celadon glaze, bordered by the seating flange and orange-red rim accent.
The Base and Underglaze Blue Potter's Mark
The base rests on a cleanly trimmed, unglazed white porcelain foot ring with a faint oxidation blush along the glaze margin. Recessed within the celadon-glazed interior is the hand-painted underglaze cobalt-blue signature "Wako" (和光).
Okawachiyama, Imari, and the Lineage of Wako Toyo
Okawachiyama in Imari City, Saga Prefecture—highlighted on the regional map—is known as the "Village of Secret Kilns" (Hiyo no Sato). In 1675, the Nabeshima clan relocated their official kiln (Nabeshima Han-yo) into this valley to produce presentation porcelain (kenjohin) for the shogunate, Imperial Court, and feudal lords. Natural celadon glaze stone mined in the hills gave Nabeshima Seiji its clear blue-green depth.
After 1871, the workshop tradition passed through master painter Ichikawa Jusuke (d. 1898) and Ichikawa Mitsunosuke to 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan (1907–1982)—trained under Takeuchi Seiho in Kyoto and certified in 1940 as a Preserver of Traditional Iro-Nabeshima Technique. Born in Imari in 1945 as third son of 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan, Ichikawa Kazuhiro (Ichikawa Wako) trained under his father from 1961 and opened Wako Toyo in Okawachiyama in 1983, specialising in Iro-Nabeshima, natural Nabeshima celadon, shinsha, and tenmoku.
In the Tea Room and Contemporary Interior
In a Japanese tokonoma alcove beside a bronze censer, the turquoise celadon dome catches the sidelight of shoji screens; on walnut or stone in a European interior, it serves as a tactile jewel box or tabletop object. One can imagine – and it is only imagined – the morning mist lifting from the crags of Okawachiyama as the kiln cools, and the potter lifting this small box to the light to see how the glaze settled into every petal of the peony.
Accompanying Items and Details
- Paulownia wood box (kiribako) with red seal and woven cord (sanada-himo), plus printed Wako Toyo leaflet (shiori) with the Nabeshima Han-yo crest and 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan lineage.
- Dimensions: Ø 6.5 × H 3.3 cm; Weight: 127.7 g. Condition: Excellent, undamaged.
A little more of this incense container's story awaits its new owner.
This listing contains AI Visualisations. Please refer to the original photographs for the actual object condition.
Shipping & Handling
Shipped from Japan, carefully packed to protect the incense container, with tracking provided.
We guarantee this piece is as described.
Seller's Story
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page. I primarily handle Japanese antiques, as well as Western antiques, art pieces, and pre-loved items that have been cherished in Japan. Growing up in a family of historians—my grandfather was a historian and my father was an archaeologist—I have always been captivated by the eras and stories these historic objects and works of art carry with them.
My listings feature collections from both Japan and the West, pieces that have stood the test of time and remained beloved through the ages. Through these rare treasures, I hope to share with you the delight of ownership and discovery. As a professional, I strive for honest and sincere transactions to ensure customer satisfaction, always leveraging my experience and eye for quality.
I strongly believe in not letting buyers down, so I describe items as accurately and thoroughly as possible, prioritizing secure and careful packaging. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. It would be my pleasure to help enrich your collecting experience.
Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to doing business with you.
– Created at Wako Toyo (founded 1983) in Okawachiyama, Imari, Saga by Ichikawa Kazuhiro (Ichikawa Wako, b. 1945), third son and disciple of 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan (1907–1982), certified Preserver of Traditional Iro-Nabeshima Technique.
– Circular Nabeshima celadon porcelain lidded container (Ø 6.5 cm, H 3.3 cm,) with a relief peony in full bloom (yokoku botan-mon) under a turquoise-green seiji glaze and a cinnabar-red (shu) band along the meeting rim.
– Signed in underglaze cobalt blue "Wako" (和光) inside the foot ring, with paulownia wood box (kiribako) bearing a red seal, woven sanada-himo cord, and printed Wako Toyo leaflet (shiori).
Summary:
A Nabeshima celadon lidded incense container (kogo / futamono) from Wako Toyo, the kiln of Ichikawa Kazuhiro (Ichikawa Wako, b. 1945) in Okawachiyama, Imari. Shaped as a circular box measuring 6.5 cm across, its domed lid carries a relief-carved peony blossom whose layered petals and serrated leaves catch the translucent Nabeshima celadon glaze in pools of jade-turquoise and porcelain white. Along the joint where lid meets bowl, a fine cinnabar-red accent line frames the celadon in warm contrast, exemplifying the heritage of the former Nabeshima domain kiln.
Form, Relief Peony Carving, and Celadon Glaze
Compact at 6.5 cm across and 3.3 cm high (127.7 g), the vessel sits in the palm with the poised balance of a tea-ceremony incense box:
- In the open and profile views, the domed lid fits neatly over a rounded bowl tapering to a circular foot ring, encircled along the meeting rim by a fine cinnabar-red (shu / kuchibeni) band.
- Seen from above, the domed lid is filled by a blooming tree peony (botan) in crisp low relief (yokoku), with raised stamen beads at the centre, ruffled petals scored with fine veins, and three serrated leaves along the border.
- Across the relief carving, the translucent Nabeshima seiji glaze pools deeply in the valleys between petals and leaf veins in rich aqua-turquoise tones, while thinning over the ridges to reveal a soft porcelain-white highlight.
- Opened side by side, both interiors are coated in the same mirror-smooth turquoise celadon glaze, bordered by the seating flange and orange-red rim accent.
The Base and Underglaze Blue Potter's Mark
The base rests on a cleanly trimmed, unglazed white porcelain foot ring with a faint oxidation blush along the glaze margin. Recessed within the celadon-glazed interior is the hand-painted underglaze cobalt-blue signature "Wako" (和光).
Okawachiyama, Imari, and the Lineage of Wako Toyo
Okawachiyama in Imari City, Saga Prefecture—highlighted on the regional map—is known as the "Village of Secret Kilns" (Hiyo no Sato). In 1675, the Nabeshima clan relocated their official kiln (Nabeshima Han-yo) into this valley to produce presentation porcelain (kenjohin) for the shogunate, Imperial Court, and feudal lords. Natural celadon glaze stone mined in the hills gave Nabeshima Seiji its clear blue-green depth.
After 1871, the workshop tradition passed through master painter Ichikawa Jusuke (d. 1898) and Ichikawa Mitsunosuke to 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan (1907–1982)—trained under Takeuchi Seiho in Kyoto and certified in 1940 as a Preserver of Traditional Iro-Nabeshima Technique. Born in Imari in 1945 as third son of 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan, Ichikawa Kazuhiro (Ichikawa Wako) trained under his father from 1961 and opened Wako Toyo in Okawachiyama in 1983, specialising in Iro-Nabeshima, natural Nabeshima celadon, shinsha, and tenmoku.
In the Tea Room and Contemporary Interior
In a Japanese tokonoma alcove beside a bronze censer, the turquoise celadon dome catches the sidelight of shoji screens; on walnut or stone in a European interior, it serves as a tactile jewel box or tabletop object. One can imagine – and it is only imagined – the morning mist lifting from the crags of Okawachiyama as the kiln cools, and the potter lifting this small box to the light to see how the glaze settled into every petal of the peony.
Accompanying Items and Details
- Paulownia wood box (kiribako) with red seal and woven cord (sanada-himo), plus printed Wako Toyo leaflet (shiori) with the Nabeshima Han-yo crest and 18th-generation Ichikawa Kozan lineage.
- Dimensions: Ø 6.5 × H 3.3 cm; Weight: 127.7 g. Condition: Excellent, undamaged.
A little more of this incense container's story awaits its new owner.
This listing contains AI Visualisations. Please refer to the original photographs for the actual object condition.
Shipping & Handling
Shipped from Japan, carefully packed to protect the incense container, with tracking provided.
We guarantee this piece is as described.
Seller's Story
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page. I primarily handle Japanese antiques, as well as Western antiques, art pieces, and pre-loved items that have been cherished in Japan. Growing up in a family of historians—my grandfather was a historian and my father was an archaeologist—I have always been captivated by the eras and stories these historic objects and works of art carry with them.
My listings feature collections from both Japan and the West, pieces that have stood the test of time and remained beloved through the ages. Through these rare treasures, I hope to share with you the delight of ownership and discovery. As a professional, I strive for honest and sincere transactions to ensure customer satisfaction, always leveraging my experience and eye for quality.
I strongly believe in not letting buyers down, so I describe items as accurately and thoroughly as possible, prioritizing secure and careful packaging. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. It would be my pleasure to help enrich your collecting experience.
Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to doing business with you.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Shōwa period (1926-1989)
Number of objects
1
Artist
Ichikawa Kazuhiro / Wako Toyo (b. 1945)
Country of Origin
Japan
Material
Ceramic
Height
3.3 cm
Width
6.5 cm
Title of artwork
Ichikawa Kazuhiro / Wako Toyo (b. 1945) – Nabeshima Celadon Peony Incense Container (Seiji Botan-mon
Condition
Excellent condition
Authenticity
Original/official
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