Today, I found this delightful incense holder made by Shigaraki ware potter, Koichi Maekawa (前川幸市). It is made in the shape of a camellia blossom, called tsubaki, in Japanese. Depending on the variety, of which there are many, camellia bloom in Kyoto from late autumn to spring. Shigaraki is ‘just over the mountain’ from Kyoto, in Shiga Prefecture. Unlike Kyoto ceramics, Shigaraki ware is very rough-hewn and earthy — sometimes even goopy. This piece is not too rough for my tastes, but still feels very ‘Shigaraki’ to me. It was a great find!