Incense Burner - Lions Smile in Asia 織部獅子鈕香炉 - 獅子はアジアで笑う

英語の後に日本語が続きます。

This is an Oribe-style Mino ware incense burner with a lion-shaped knob, housed at the Tokyo National Museum. Its green glaze is beautiful, isn't it? Created in 1612, Mino ware refers to pottery produced in Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture), while the Oribe style is a design tradition that emerged in the late 16th century under the guidance of Furuta Oribe. 

Incense burner with lion-shaped knob, Oribe-style Mino ware, 1612 
織部獅子鈕香炉 1612年

Now that you have some basic knowledge about this incense burner, take a look at the lion's funny face and compare it to the lion in the third photo. This ivory lion sits on top of an 18th-century Chinese wine vessel, which is also housed at the Tokyo National Museum. I learned something from these two lions: Chinese and Japanese people must have thought lions always smiled. And it's important to smile—smiling makes everyone, including you, feel happier!

Lion on top of an ivory wine vessel, Qing dynasty, 18th century 象牙彫卣の獅子 

Posted on 6/26/2021

Revised on 10/29/2026

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東京国立博物館所蔵の織部獅子鈕香炉です。緑の釉薬がとてもきれい！獅子のとぼけた顔もカワイイです。比べてほしいのが中国製の象牙彫卣（3枚目）の獅子。似てません？当時は日本でも中国でもライオンってこんなに可愛く笑うと思われていたんですね。みんなで笑ってハッピーになりましょう😊！

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