Incense burner Karakusa-Shishi | Fukuji Kitamura Traditional Craftsperson work [264009]

[size]
Width: 12cm / Height: 14.5cm
Width: 4.7in / Height: 5.7in

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A Masterpiece by Fukuji Kitamura ? A Leading Artisan in the Art of Arita Ware

This work was created by Fukuji Kitamura, a master of overglaze painting and a designated Traditional Craftsman who has long embodied both the tradition and innovation of Arita ware. Though now retired due to age, his works continue to enchant viewers with their timeless elegance.
The unique style shaped by his exceptional skill and artistic sensibility stands as a crystallization of beauty that transcends generations.

This piece is a lidded tripod incense burner that combines stately elegance with ornamental splendor. The body is adorned with intricate arabesque patterns painted in deep blue and accented with gold over a bluish-green ground, giving the piece a refined and dignified presence.
At the top of the lid sits a “shishi” (guardian lion), long revered in Japanese culture as a symbol of protection and warding off evil spirits?a striking focal point that enhances the work’s grandeur. The lid is also pierced with openwork, allowing incense smoke to rise gently and gracefully.

Blending traditional motifs with a design that harmonizes beautifully with modern interiors, this piece can be used as an incense burner or simply enjoyed as a decorative art object.


[Potter Profile]
Fukuji Kitamura
Designated Traditional Craftsman

A recognized master of overglaze painting in porcelain
Now retired at over 90 years old; resides in Arita, Saga Prefecture

An overglaze painter is the one who brings life to the pristine white surface of porcelain.
Using a single brush, the artisan breathes color into the vessel, transforming it from mere pottery into a vivid, living work of art. With intricate composition, unwavering brushstrokes, and a sensitivity embedded in each hue, Kitamura’s artistry elevates porcelain to the realm of fine art.
His mastery shines through in every piece and leaves a lasting impression across time.


Born in Arita, Saga Prefecture in 1932
Entered the field of ceramics after World War II
Founded the Kitamura Overglaze Studio at the age of 30
Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Arita Ware in 1990
Appointed Chairman of the Saga Prefecture Overglaze Painting Cooperative in 1991
Held solo exhibitions in Ginza (Tokyo) and throughout Fukuoka Prefecture from the 1990s onward

Known for his representative masterpiece series: T?kaid? Goj?santsugi (The 53 Stations of the T?kaid?)