Chungmugong Incense Chamber
The Chungmugong Incense Chamber is a ceramic incense chamber by HANEOL depicting Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Planned under a Korea Heritage Service social-economy support program, it is handmade by an art-toy artist and ceramists at LSM Studio over about 120 days, from 3D modeling and mold-making to three firings. Its interior is shaped so the smoke flows through the figure when incense is lit. It comes in black stoneware made from Korean clay (₩350,000) and a limited blue-and-white porcelain edition (₩510,000). Made in Korea.
- Shipping ₩3,000 · Free over ₩50,000
- Ships in 1–3 business days (within Korea)
- Exchange & refund policy
The Story
“A Korean hero, reimagined as an art toy.” Ask Koreans to name the historical figure they respect most and many will say Admiral Yi Sun-sin. We shaped him in ceramic.
“The battle is at its height — do not announce my death.” His last words put the nation and its people before himself. This piece carries that spirit, lit as incense in remembrance and respect.
“Do not announce my death”
Admiral Yi’s final words put his country and its cause before himself — the same consideration, respect and responsibility our society still needs. We wanted to express that sacrifice, made to the very last for the battle and for his people, in a piece that carries its weight with meaning.
Lighting incense, an everyday ritual
After long deliberation, the answer was an incense chamber. In East Asia, burning incense has long been an act of remembrance and respect; today it has become an easy, everyday living ritual, especially for younger generations. We gave the incense chamber a Korean character — and the meaning of remembrance.
Designed around the airflow
The chamber is more than the admiral’s silhouette. Its intake and exhaust holes are shaped for airflow, so the more the smoke circulates inside, the more majestic the piece becomes. It is only complete once the incense is lit.
The seas of Korea, under the admiral’s watch
The base is the Korean peninsula set atop the panokseon warships and cannons of the Imjin War. The admiral holds back a great wave with his back, and the sites of the battles of Myeongnyang, Noryang and Hansando are cut into the sea before him as airflow holes. Dokdo and Ulleungdo sit beside the peninsula.
About 120 days, entirely by hand
45 days for the design, 3D data and prints; 30 days for the ceramic mold and samples; more than 30 days for glazing and final details — over four months in all. An art-toy artist and ceramists make every piece by hand, firing and testing repeatedly to build in durability.
3D modeling meets slip casting
Ceramics shrink about 10–20% through the bisque firing (800°C) and glaze firing (1,250°C). To account for this we modeled in 3D from the final size, tested 3D-printed prototypes again and again, and refined a master model. We then designed the mold’s parting lines and pour spout in 3D and ran dozens of tests with LSM Studio for even walls and true symmetry.
A deep black from the clay itself
A black glaze would coat the surface and blur the sculpted detail, so we kept glaze to a minimum and aimed for a black that comes from the clay. After dozens of tests with LSM Studio, a blend of two Korean clays with a small amount of high-purity pigment gave a natural, deep black stoneware.
Three firings and a lustre gold finish
Most ceramics are fired twice; this chamber is fired a third time for its lustrous gold. First at 850°C for structural stability, then at 1,280°C to vitrify the clay for strength, and finally at 750°C to fix the lustre’s soft metallic sheen.
Black stoneware, and a limited blue-and-white edition
Choose the deep black stoneware, or the limited edition in blue-and-white porcelain — cobalt-blue decoration on a white body.
Supported by the Korea Heritage Service
The Chungmugong Incense Chamber and the Cheonja Chongtong Incense Holder were planned together under a social-economy support program of the Korea Heritage Service.
Product Details
| Edition | Black stoneware / Blue-and-white porcelain (limited) |
|---|---|
| Size | 200 × 175 × 120 mm |
| Weight | Black stoneware 0.95 kg / Blue-and-white 1.1 kg |
| Material | Ceramic (black stoneware: blend of two Korean clays + high-purity pigment) |
| Making | Handmade, slip-cast, fired three times (850°C · 1,280°C · 750°C lustre) |
| Incense | 9.5 cm short incense sticks (sold separately) |
| Artists | Art-toy artists Jeonyeok and GOMOS (Choi Juseok), ceramist Lee Seongmin (LSM Ceramic Studio) |
| Manufacturer | Updream Korea Co., Ltd. · brand HANEOL |
| Origin | Made in Korea |
| Note | Decorative object — not for food use. Gilded areas can wear with friction; wipe gently with a soft dry cloth. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the two editions?
The black stoneware uses minimal glaze, getting its deep black from a Korean clay blend and pigment. The blue-and-white porcelain is a limited edition with cobalt-blue decoration on white. Form and making process are the same.
What do Admiral Yi’s last words mean?
“The battle is at its height — do not announce my death” (戰方急 愼勿言我死): the words attributed to Admiral Yi as he fell at the Battle of Noryang. The piece begins from them.
Is each piece slightly different?
Each piece is handmade and fired several times, so small variations in tone and surface are natural.
How does it relate to the Cheonja Chongtong holder?
They are one series, planned together under the Korea Heritage Service program. The holder recreates the Cheonja Chongtong, the cannon that fought closest to Admiral Yi.
Which incense should I use?
Short 9.5 cm incense sticks are recommended. Incense is not included — please use genuine, safety-tested sticks of that size.
I see small dots or pinholes. Is it defective?
As handmade ceramics, small dots, pinholes, rough edges or slight warping from the clay and glaze are natural and not defects. Every piece is inspected before shipping.
How long does delivery take?
Orders ship within 1–3 business days. We currently deliver within South Korea; shipping is ₩3,000, free over ₩50,000.
Can I return or exchange it?
You can request a return or exchange within 7 days of delivery. For change-of-mind returns the customer covers round-trip shipping; defective or wrong items are on us.
How can I pay?
For now we accept bank transfer (Woori Bank 1005-703-614296, Updream Korea Co., Ltd.). Card and easy-pay options are coming soon.
