Painted Oribe incense burner c. 1990s

This painted Oribe incense burner, made by Yanagihara Mutsuo, is all about the dance between form and surface. You see the way the paint is applied, thick in some areas, thin in others, revealing the material qualities of the ceramic beneath. It’s not just about covering the surface, but about engaging with it, about letting the hand of the artist be visible in the final product. Take a look at the lines that adorn the lower half of the burner. They're applied with a kind of casualness, as though the artist wanted to avoid being too precious or controlled. There's a lightness to the touch, a sense of spontaneity that invites you to imagine the artist at work. The shiny glaze on the upper section contrasts with the mottled surface of the base, giving a sense of depth and dimension. Mutsuo's approach reminds me of Lucie Rie, someone else who embraced the process of ceramic making, letting the materiality of the clay guide her forms. It's a conversation across time and cultures, a reminder that art is never truly finished.