Important Cultural Property WATER SPRINKLER (KUNDIKA) WITH NINE DRAGON-HEADED SPOUTS
Celadon with carved dragon and wave designGoryeo dynasty, 12th century
Height: 33.5cm
The Museum Yamato Bunkakan
Photograph by MUDA Tomohiro
This very exceptional work is adorned with nine dragons, associated with the story of the birth of the Buddha that nine dragons descended from heaven and sprinkled fragrant water over Shakyamuni when he was born. It is a suitable motif for a kundika, a water sprinkler used for offering pure water to the Buddhist altar. The finely sculpted heads of the nine dragons applied to the kundika possess vigor, solemnity and dignity in their appearances. Nine bodies of the dragons that match the nine heads are carved on the surface of the body in a flowing and elegant manner. Even more impressive is the fact that the mouths of all the dragon heads actually work as a spout. Goryeo celadon produced in the 12th century is known for having the most beautiful glaze and the Goryeo people praised its color by calling it “kingfisher color”, valuing celadon ware even higher than gold and silver ware. This kundika, also a work of the 12th century, is one of the finest masterpieces of Goryeo celadon with the glaze having the sparkle of jade.