A refined square vessel where plum blossoms and poetic calligraphy create an atmosphere of quiet scholarly elegance. Description: This square-bodied incense burner presents a compact cubic form resting on four small feet glazed in deep green. The lid is crowned by a sculptural shishi (lion-dog) finial rendered in rich iron-brown glaze, seated upon a square platform decorated in green and yellow with a subtle mottled pattern. The four sides of the body are adorned with hand-painted plum branches bearing delicate white blossoms with yellow centers, set against a soft gradation of warm brown and cream tones. Fine calligraphic script in black ink covers portions of the surface, adding a literary dimension to the decorative scheme. The rim of the body features a continuous band of green cloisonné-style geometric pattern with four-petal motifs interspersed with small yellow diamond shapes. The base displays the artist's signature "Kutani Gyokuryū" (九谷 玉竜) inscribed in iron-red overglaze enamel. The lid interior shows openwork perforations in leaf-like shapes for the passage of incense smoke. The piece comes with its original wooden storage box secured with a green fabric cord. Cultural & Art Context: Kutani ware, produced in Ishikawa Prefecture, is celebrated for its bold overglaze enamel decoration featuring the distinctive "Kutani five colors" palette of green, yellow, purple, navy blue, and red. The combination of naturalistic plum blossom imagery with poetic calligraphy reflects a long-standing appreciation in Japanese ceramics for the union of painting and literature. Square incense burners with shishi finials represent a classic form within the Kutani tradition, valued for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Collector Appeal: This piece offers an appealing blend of traditional Kutani craftsmanship and poetic refinement, complete with its original wooden storage box. Incense burners of this quality are seldom available outside Japan. Condition: A portion of the lid is chipped. Minor wear visible on rim edges. Shipping / Policy Carefully packaged and shipped from Japan by Japan Post or DHL with tracking. If you purchase multiple items, combined shipping is available. Please contact us if needed. Import duties, VAT (or equivalent consumption tax), and any other fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Guarantee Our shop is a licensed antiques dealer in Japan. We guarantee the authenticity of this work.