A fierce Shishi lion roars, jaws wide and fierce eyes to the sky forming this large Raku-yaki incense burner bearing the seal of the 12th generation head of the Raku family Konyu enclosed in a period wood storage box.It is 26 x 14 x 21 cm (10-1/2 x 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 inches) and is in overall excellent condition.
Raku Konyu (1857-1932) was born the eldest son of Raku Keinyû, and succeeded as the 12th generation head of the Raku family in 1871 at the age of 15. He took the name of Kônyû at his retirement in 1919. Due to the decline in tea culture at the dawn of the modernization of the Meiji period in the 19th century, both Keinyu and subsequently Konyu were confronted with difficulties. However he was able to steer the Raku famkiluy concerns through this tumultuous time and maintain the family lineage.His work is characterized as rather reserved, though his red Raku glaze varied greatly in tone and shade allowing individuality to his sokeowhat more conservative works.
